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May 7th, 1892. 


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A 




THE 


By Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., 

V 

%UTHOR OF ‘'The Outcast of Milan,” Rollo of Normandy,” 
‘^The Scourge of Damascus,” ‘‘The Conspirator of 
Cordova,” “The Fortunes of Conrad,” “The 
Bandit of Syracuse,” “Roderick of Kil- 
dare,” “ Karl the Lion,” “ The 
Caliph of Bagdad,” “The 
; Spectre’s Secret,” 

' ETC., ETC. 


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ALARIC, 

OR 

TYRANT’S/ VAULT. 


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LITTLE HEATHER-BLOSSOM 


(ERICA.) 


TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF 


FRAU VON INGERSLEBEN, 


BY 

MARY J. SAFFORD. 

WITH ILLUSTBATI0N8 BY WARREN B, DAVIS, 


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ALARIC, 

OR 

THE TYRANT’S VAULT. 


^ J^ODCl. 

BV/ 

Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., 

Author of The Outcast of Milan f Rollo of Nonnandyf 
The Scourge of Damascus f The Conspirator of Cor- 

dova f The Fortunes of Conrad f The Robber Count- 
ess f The Royal Outlaw f The Bandit of Syra- 
cuse f Roderick of Kildare f Karl the 

Lionf The Caliph of Bagdad f ‘‘ The 
Spectre's Secret f The Knight's 
Motto f etc., etc, 

Ir/^ 


NEW YORK: 

ROBERT BONNER^S SONS, 

PUBLISHERS. 


THE POPULAR SERIES t IS8UE0 MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. NO. 22, 
MAY 7, 1882. ENTEREP AT THE NEW YORK, N. Y., POST OFFIQE A^ ^EQONP C\,ASS MAIV MATTER, 


COPYRiaHT, 185S. 1868, and 1892, 
By ROBERT BONNER’S SONS. 


{AU rights reserved.) 



ALARIC, 


CHAPTER I. 

ALARIC. 

NOT far from the city of Syracuse — not the Syra- 
cuse of to-day, shattered, and narrowed down to a place 
of little note — hut the Syracuse of an older day — a day 
long passed — when it was the metropolis of all Sicily, 
an object of longing to ambitious conquerors, and one 
of the finest cities in the world ; not far from this place, 
upon the shore of the sea, stood a man who had just 
landed from a vessel that was now sailing away towards 
the North. He was quite young — not over five-and 
twenty — tall and well proportioned ; with a muscular 
system finely developed ; and possessing a face not only 
striking in its manly beauty, but remarkable in one so 
young for its stern, resolute and self-reliant expression. 
His drfss was light and simple, and evidently of Greek 
manufacture ; the lower limbs being clothed in close- 
fitting goat-skin, above which he wore a shirt of white 
linen, confined at the waist by a belt of fine mail. 

[7] 


8 


Ala7^zc. 


Upon his head was a cap of woven stuff, the top droop- 
ing over the right ear ; and his feet were shielded by a 
pair of sandals. His only weapon was a short, heavy 
sword, which hung, in a leathern scabbard, from his 
belt of mail. He stood for awhile, gazing about, as 
though undecided what course he should pursue ; but 
finally he espied an old fisherman, not far off, who had 
just come down upon the beach, and towards him he 
made his way. 

A bright, pleasant morning, good sir,'’ said the 
youth. 

The old man cast his net from his shoulders and gazed 
up. He carefully scanned the features before him, and 
then replied : 

“ Aye, fair sir, it is a pleasant morning. We have 
many such on this coast." 

‘‘ And yet it storms sometimes, I suppose," suggested 
the first speaker. 

He is a wise man who little heeds the storms he 
cannot quell," said the fisherman, with a nod of the 
head, which seemed to give his words more meaning 
than the circumstances under which they were spoken 
would imply. 

‘‘You are right there," responded the other. “But 
tell me — where can I find Artabanus, the hermit ?" 

The fisherman took another careful look into his 
interlocutor's face, and then answered : 

“ He lives upon yonder mountain, which is called 
Catalona. Do you wish to see him ?" 

“ Yes." 

“ Then follow the path that leads to yonder cot, until 
it brings you to a small stream. Cross that, and then 
upon your right hand you will see a beaten track. He 
lives in a cave near the top of the mountain, and this 
track will lead you directly thither." 


A laric. 


9 


The young man thanked his informant, and was upon 
the point of turning away, when the latter resumed : 

You are a stranger here ?** 

‘‘ I am/’ 

“ But not always so.” 

“ How mean you ?” 

“ You have been in Syracuse before ?” 

“ I said I was ^ stranger here,” the youth replied, 
with a slight show of displeasure ; for the fisherman was 
still regarding him sharply. 

Pardon,” cried the old man. “ I mean no offense. 
Your face looks familiar. It has the cast of a counte- 
nance I fancied I had seen before.” 

There may be many faces in Sicily like mine, good 
sir,” returned the new-comer, with a light smile. 

There may be, but I have not seen them.” 

How now, old man ? Why — thou didst but just say 
thou hadst surely seen one like it.” 

Aye, but that was years ago,” rejoined the fisher- 
man, with a shake of the head. “ I do not think I have 
seen such an one of late.” 

‘‘You’ll at least remember of having seen such an 
one on this morning,” said the young man, and as he 
thus spoke he turned away. 

“ Aye,” muttered the old Sicilian, half to himself, but 
yet loud enough to reach other ears, “ and I call on 
Neptune to witness that I have seen it before. Such 
faces are not multiplied — they are not plenty in Syra- 
cuse these times. Alas ! more’s the pity.” 

The youth hesitated for a moment, as though he 
would turn back, but he overcame the disposition, and 
kept on. When he had begun to ascend the mountain, 
he stopped and looked behind him, and saw that the 
fisherman was already upon the water. 

“ Can it be,” he said to himself, “ that my face is so 


lO 


A laric. 


little changed ? I think I remember that old man, for 
he has spread his nets long in these waters ; but how 
should he remember me? I pray the gods that 
there will be not many in Syracuse that will yet be so 
observant.” 

With this the traveler kept on up the mountain until 
he had reached a broad table of rock, from whence he 
could see the bay and the city beyond. The great 
metropolis was spread out before him, with its massive • 
walls, its temples, and its palaces, and a tear started 
down his cheek as he gazed upon the scene. He clasped 
his hands upon his bosom, and, with a few muttered 
words, he started on again. He crossed the stream, 
and took the path to which he had been directed ; but 
he did not follow it as one who was a stranger to its 
windings. He pursued his way with an ease and assur- 
ance, and, at times, with an abstractedness which could 
have been indulged in only by one who knew well the 
way he was going. Up the steep, rocky height he 
climbed, and, when he finally stopped, it was before the 
entrance to a cave — a cave which nature had fashioned 
in the mountain’s side, and sheltered from the sun’s 
fervid heat, and the fury of the storm. 

At the mouth of this cavern sat an old ^man over 
whose head some fourscoi'e years had rolled. His hair 
and beard were white as the fleecy cloud that sailed 
above the mount, and floated in silken, wavy masses 
over his shoulders and breast. A mantle of gray cloth 
enveloped his frame, and his feet were shod with heavy 
sandals. He was engaged over an old manuscript, but as 
he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, he closed 
the volume and raised his head. 

“ Good-morning, my son,” he said, with a look of sim- 
pie welcome. 


Alartc. 


II 


‘‘ Kind father^ I greet thee/' the youth returned, at 
the same time extending his hand. 

How !" cried the aged man, starting to his feet, as 
the accents fell upon his ear. He shaded his eyes with 
the palm of the left hand, and gazed eagerly into his 
visitor’s face. Do I see aright ?” he added. ‘‘ Is it 
Alaric — my old pupil ?” 

Aye, good Artabanus, I am Alaric — come once more 
to see thee.” 

For some time the hermit gazed into the young man’s 
face in silence, but finally he said : 

'‘Sit down— sit down, my son. Thy presence has 
started a host of varied emotions to life within me, and 
I must recover my thoughts ere I can talk with thee in 
reason.” 

“ Thank the gods, I find thee alive and in health,” 
replied the youth, as he let go the old man’s hand, and 
took a seat upon a wooden bench close by. 

“ Aye — I am well in body,” returned Artabanus. 
“ But,” he added, thoughtfully, ^continuing to gaze earn- 
estly into his companion’s face as he spoke, “ the body 
is but a small part of man, and the ills of the flesh are 
very joys when compared with some of the pains to 
which the soul may be subject. But tell me of thyself. 
Where hast thou been ?” 

“ I have been in Greece,” replied the youth. “ When 
I fled from these shores, eight years ago, I sought 
refuge there, and there I have remained ever since. O ! 
I wept this morning as I gazed down upon the city of 
my birth. I had thought I had done weeping over 
those memories ; but when 1 again gazed upon Syra- 
cuse they came crowding upon me with a po\^ er which 
I could not resist. I saw the very temple beneath the 
walls of which my father and my brother w’ere slain ; 
and I could see the roof beneath which my mother 


12 


Alaric, 


died. Artabanus, there were not many of the patrician 
families escaped that foul butchery.’* 

No, Alaric. Of all who were loyal to the true inter- 
ests of the people, I have seen only yourself return. 
There were a few escaped, but not many. Were there 
any went with you to Greece T 

No, father. I escaped alone. I saw my noble par- 
ent cut down — I saw my brother fall — and when I knew 
I had not a relative left in the city, I fled. Fortune 
favored me. I found a small boat by the seashore, and 
I put out alone upon the dark waters. I floated away 
to Melita, and from thence I gained a passage to Greece. 
The tyrant still reigns in Syracuse ?” 

Alas ! yes. And his deeds are evil, and the people 
suffer. We have had no place in Sicily since good 
Helixus died ; thou wertbut a mere child then.” 

“ I was seven years old. I remember the good king 
well, for my father, you know, was one of his chief 
officers.” 

“Aye, you were- older than I thought,” said the her- 
mit, musingly. 

“ And I remember that there was some mystery con- 
nected with the good king’s death,” remarked Alaric. 
“ Am I not right ?” 

“ There was not much mystery,” answered the old 
man. “ He was weak and weary, and he left the throne 
that he might die in peace ; and death soon came to 
him. But why hast thou returned to Syracuse ?” 

Can you not guess ?” returned the youth. 

“ I might guess many things, my son.” 

“ And yet but one of them would be right. I have 
said that I left no relative behind me when I made tny 
escape from this place ; but I did leave one whom I 
loved — one about whom my affections were entwined 


A laric. 


13 


with a life that could not die. You know of whom I 
speak V* 

Aye, you speak of the mason’s daughter, lanthe/’ 

Yes, father. Is she alive ?” 

“ She is.” 

And well ?” 

“ She is well.” 

And,” pursued the youth, in a more eager tone, ‘‘is 
she still free ?” 

“Why? Have you thought that she would remem- 
ber you in love through the years that have passed ?” 

“ O, do not say that she has not !” 

“ I have not said so, my son. But you should remem- 
ber that she was only twelve years old when you went 
away.” 

“ Yet she possessed a woman’s mind. She had 
learned of you, my master. O ! do not tell me that she 
has ceased to love me. True, she was a child in years, 
but I loved her then, and my love has grown stronger 
in the separation which has followed. I know there is 
danger to me here, but I came with a will to meet 
it.” 

“ There may be more danger than you think of,” 
said the hermit, watching the countenance of his young 
friend narrowly as he spoke. 

“ I care not for the danger. Tell me of lanthe.” 

“ But suppose your very life were in danger if you 
thought of the maiden ?” 

“You may warn me of danger if you will, but doiK)t 
seek to place the barrier of fear between me and my 
desire, for I know not the emotion. You, Artabanus, 
taught me when I was a boy, and . your wise lessons 
have not departed from my mind. You taught me that 
there were many things more to be feared than death, 
and I have come, prepared rather to die than live all 


H 


A larzc. 


alone in a distant land, with the sad memories of my 
unhappy country for my only heritage.” 

‘‘ And you would not turn from death, should it raise 
its threatening front between yourself and Ian the ?” i 
The old man’s gaze grew more earnest as he thus 
spoke, and a spark, within which seemed to gleam some 
newly awakened hope, burned in his eye. 

“ My father,” answered Alaric, with a flushing cheek, 

I could almost feel offended did I think you doubted 
me, but I do not think so. Show me that Ian the loves 
me, and not even Pyrrho himself, with the blood-stained 
crown of Sicily upon his brow, shall have power to 
startle me from my course while life is mine.” 

Artabanus started to his feet, and grasped the 
youth by the hand. 

“ Noble Alaric,” he cried, with a joyful enthusiasm, 
** thou art worthy of the maiden’s hand. She does love 
thee — she cherishes thy memory within her heart as 
the most precious thing of earth, and for long years she 
has lived upon the hope that thou wouldst return to her.” 

O, the gods be praised !” ejaculated the young 
man. 

But,” added the hermit, in a changed voice, there 
must be danger in thy path. Pyrrho holds his throne 
only through the fear and enslavement of the people, 
and he knows it. Your father was one of his bitterest 
enemies, and he was also one of the first whom the 
usurper found it necessary to put out of the way. You 
are not only the very image of your noble parent, but 
you must remember that you had arrived almost at the 
full stature of manhood when you fled from Syracuse. 
You were then seventeen, and from seventeen to five- 
and-twenty, especially in one so early developed as you 
were, there is not much change. You were a man 


A larzc. 


15 


then, and you are no more now. So you must expect 
that you will be known and recognized.'' 

Aye — the old fisherman, whose cot is at the foot of 
the mount, recognized me as one whom he had before 
seen." 

You mean Glycon?" 

^‘Ah,I remember his name now, though I had for- 
gotten it. Yes, he was sure he had seen me before." 

And remember that he had only seen you occasion- 
ally, as you were wont to pass to and from my cave ; 
but there are those within the city who will be sure to 
recognize you, and should the king, or any of his tools, 
know of your presence, your destruction would be 
planned at once." 

And can I be of so much importance as that ?" 
asked Alaric, incredulously. 

Ah," replied the old man with a shake of the head, 
when a tyrant begins to fear his people, it requires 
but little to magnify his danger. You are the only 
survivor of the old patrician stock that remains true to 
Sicily — you are the only living male representative of 
that noble class who stood around the throne of 
Helixus, Let Pyrrho but dream that thou art in Syra- 
cuse, and he would not sleep till he had thee in his 
power. Dost begin to see thy danger now ?" 

Yes, good father, I do. But I fear it not." 

Be wise as well as brave, Alaric," said the old man, 
with an admonitory motion of the finger. The truly 
brave man is not reckless. He shuns danger when he 
can do so with honor. Remember that thou would not 
be the sole sufferer should mortal evil befall thee. She 
whom thou lovest would suffer, too." 

I will remember, father," spoke the youth, with 
much feeling. I will shun the danger as much as 


i6 


A laric. 


possible. But I shall find no home in Sicily, after 
all, if my life cannot be my own.’' 

Let us speak of that hereafter,” replied Arta- 
banus. ‘‘ First, do you see lanthe, and when you 
have found all right in that quarter, we will consider 
further.” 

I shall find her with her father ?” 

Yes, and his house is just where it was eight years 
ago.” 

‘‘ I will go and seek her then, and — ” 

Hold, my son. You had better wait till nightfall 
ere you enter the city, and also exchange that Greek 
shirt for a garment less likely to attract attention, for I 
assure you that too much care cannot be taken.” 

Alaric was impatient to see lanthe, but he saw the 
force of the hermit’s reasoning, and he was willing to 
wait. So he sat down by his old teacher’s side again 
— sat as he had sat years before, when receiving instruc- 
tion from the same lips — and listened to the story of 
the wrongs that had been done in Sicily during the last 
eight years. Hour after hour passed away, and yet 
Artabanus had still more to tell of the tyrant’s cruelty. 

“ Merciful heavens !” cried the youth, fired almost to 
frenzy by the recital, how have the people borne all 
this 

“ They have borne it under fear of their lives. 
Pyrrho’s soldiers are posted at every place where a 
murmur can arise.” 

“ And how long shall it last ?” 

Till some spirit, with a heart big enough to love 
Sicily more than life, and a soul that fears not the 
tyrant, • shall arise in Syracuse!” pronounced the old 
man solemnly. 

Alaric started as he met the glance of his aged com - 
panion, for there was a meaning in it of more than 


A laric. 


17 


moral import. He dared not trust himself to speak 
then, for the feelings that had sprung to life in his own 
soul were so wild and strange that they fairly startled 
him. He arose and walked out upon the mountain, 
and ever and anon, as his eye rested upon the distant 
city, the tumult in his soul came to startle him again. 
He did not seek to analyze the emotion, for it was so 
bold and gigantic, so genie-like in its misty proportions, 
that he dared not handle it with reason. 

After a while Artabanus came out and touched him 
upon the shoulder. 

Alaric,'’ spoke the old man, it is waxing late, and 
we may be on the move. Let us eat a crust of bread, 
and then we will descend the mountain together. I 
must go with you as far as the fisherman’s cot, for 
there we must find a more fitting garb for you. Glycon 
is my friend, and may be trusted to the verge of the 
grave.*' 

The frugal supper was soon despatched, and then the 
two descended the mountain together. At the fisher- 
man’s cot they stopped and found that Glycon had just 
returned from his day’s labor. Artabanus took him 
apart, and having explained to him as much of Alaric’s 
story as he deemed advisable, he asked for some gar- 
ments that would answer for the youth to wear. 

1 knew I had seen the young man before,” cried the 
fisherman ; “ and when he had gone this morning, I 
could have sworn that he used to be one of your pupils. 
I remember very well how he used to pass here when — 

Never mind now,” interrupted the hermit, impa- 
tiently. “We are in a hurry. At some other time we 
will talk it all over.” 

Thus admonished, the fisherman led the way to his 
scanty wardrobe, and the necessary garments were soon 
selected. Alaric’s leggins of goat-skin were replaced 


i8 


A lartc. 


by long hose of blue cloth, and his white linen shirt 
was exchanged for a dark-brown frock, beneath which 
he could easily conceal his short sword. After this the 
hermit accompanied him to the southern shore of the 
bay, and there stopped. 

We had better not be seen together beyond this 
point,” said the old man. ^‘From here the way is 
plain, and you have had caution enough. At the gate 
you will not be stopped unless some of the guard should 
take the whim to question you. Be wise, now, and 
cautious, and let me see you to-morrow.” 

I will not forget.” 

Then may the gods guide and protect you !” 

With this Artabanus turned back towards the moun- 
tain, and Alaric kept on. The shades of night were 
gathering over the city as the youth passed in at the 
broad gateway, and the guard had already lighted their 
torches. He had gone a few steps when a rough voice 
commanded him to stop. 

“ Didn’t you promise me a fish for my dinner, thou 
lying knave ?” the voice continued. 

“ You have mistaken your man,” said Alaric, hiding 
his face as much as possible without seeming desirous 
so to do. 

Good Bacchus, so I have. Thou’t not Mestor.” 

No,” returned our hero, and as he spoke he kept on. 

‘‘ That’s a strange face,” said one of the soldiers. 

“ And I thought, a fair one,” added another. 

How now ?” asked a third. Has a stranger 
passed ?” 

Yes, a fisherman.” 

’Tis said that a Greek vessel was upon the coast this 
morning, and we should know whom she landed.” 

Alaric heard no more. He turned the first angle in 
the street that presented itself, and then hurried on. 


I ant he, — A7i Alarm, 


19 


The way was familiar, and he had no difficulty in select- 
ing the various avenues he needed to follow, but he was 
not wholly easy. 

He had reason to believe that he was followed. He 
took several winding passages for the purpose of avoid- 
ing pursuers, but he could not get rid of the echoing 
foot-fall that sounded upon the pavement behind him. 
It slackened when he slackened ; it stopped when he 
stopped ; and when he hurried on, the echo hurried 
after him. 


CHAPTER II. 

lANTHE. — ^AN ALARM. 

Within a comfortably furnished apartment of an 
humble abode near the western wall of the city, sat two 
individuals. The first was a man some fifty years of 
age, stout and muscular in frame and wearing the garb 
of an artisan, with the dust of toil still clinging to him. 
He possessed an open, kindly countenance, and if it 
lacked in comeliness, it certainly made up in honesty 
and frankness. Such was Bellerus, one of the most 
skillful masons in Syracuse, and possessing a fair knowl- 
edge of architecture in its higher and more elaborate 
branches. A genial, comfortable disposition had led 
him into society of his own choice, and an antipathy to 
turmoil and strife, and an unwillingness to assume 
much responsibility, had kept him from rising to any 
eminence in his profession. There may have been 
another cause for his retaining his humble position, 
though every desire of his social life seemed to be 
answered where he was. 


20 


A laric. 


The other person — the mason’s companion — was a 
female. She had seen just twenty summers, and was 
as beautiful as the poet’s dream. In form she was 
light and graceful, her limbs full and round, and her 
whole frame full of life and vigor. Her features were 
of true Grecian mould, with large, dark eyes, over 
which drooped long lashes of silken texture, while a 
mass of wavy tresses clustered about her superbly 
rounded shoulders. Beyond the few honest friends 
who sometimes partook of the artisan’s hospitality, she 
was not known. Bellerus had guarded her with a 
miser’s care, and few there were in the great metrop- 
olis who knew of the treasure of beauty that dwelt 
within its walls. The humble craftsmen who shared 
her father’s confidence loved her devotedly, but they 
loved with a worshipping love, as the kneeling 
shepherd loved his goddess ; and they were all pledged 
not to speak of her in their intercourse with the outside 
world. 

‘‘ Don’t call me foolish, father,” said the maiden, 
imploringly. 

I do not call thee so, lanthe,” the mason returned. 

I only wish to help you over what may prove a most 
bitter disappointment. How can you hope that Alaric 
will ever return ?” 

“ My love tells me so.” 

‘‘ Ah, but love is blind.” 

Then its feelings are the more to be relied upon, for 
they come from the internal promptings of the soul. 
But I feel sure that he will come back to me.” 

I hope he may, my sweet child, and if he could 
know how beautiful you are, I am sure he would. But, 
remember, you were only twelve years of age when he 
went away.” 

‘^And if I have remained true to the love of that 


lantke.r—An Alarm. 


2 1 


early time, how much more should he have done so, 
who possessed the soul ofj manhood within which to 
enshrine his pledge ?” 

Aye, lanthe, I know you have the strong reason of 
love on your side, but there are other things to be con- 
sidered. Think of the danger he might encounter by 
coming here.” 

I tell thee, Alaric fears no danger,” cried the 
beautiful girl, with enthusiasm. His soul is a 
stranger to such an emotion.” 

^‘And yet he fled from it when his kindred were 
slain.” 

But not alone through fear of death,” quickly 
replied lanthe. He fled from a sense of duty. 
There was no reason why he should remain, but every 
reason why he should flee. You do wrong, father, 
when you call his courage in question.” 

Pardon, sweet child I I meant no such thing. 
What ! I call in question the bravery of Alaric ? 
Shall I cast a doubt upon the true courage of the son 
of the noble Orneus ? The gods forbid ! I know his 
soul well.” 

“ I did not think you meant it, father, but answer me 
this one thing : Is there in Syracuse a man whom you 
'would have me marry, should Alaric never return ?” 

“ My eye has not rested upon such an one, lanthe. I 
speak not from such a motive. When I bid thee cherish 
less hopes of Alaric, I do so because I fear he may 
never find thee.” 

“ Then be at ease, good father. Only last night the 
bright goddess Electra appeared to me in a dream, and 
told me that Alaric should return. At least I will hope 
yet a while longer, for it is sweet to hope.” 

Bellerus could not find it in his heart to do more 
towards dispelling the bright promise which the maiden 


22 


A laric. 


cherished, and he turned the conversation upon another 
topic. Only a few words had been spoken, however, 
w^hen a loud rap was heard without, and the host lighted 
a torch and went to the door. When he returned, he 
made a motion for lanthe to leave the room. 

It is a stranger,’' he said, and it is not meet that 
thou shouldst be present.” 

But the maiden neither spoke nor moved. She had 
heard the tones of the visitor’s voice, and her quick ear 
had caught a familiar sound. Bellerus would have 
reminded her again, but the stranger was close behind 
him, and quickly entered the apartment. lanthe saw 
not the humble fisher’s garb — she only saw the W’ell 
remembered features which she had carried within the 
sacred repository of her affections for so long a time. 
They were changed a little — they had assumed more of 
manhood — but not changed to love. 

“ Sweet Electra, my dream is true !” she cried, as 
she started forward and put forth her hands. Alaric 
has come !” 

‘‘So heaven looks down with richest blessing!” the 
young man responded, as he folded the maiden to his 
bosom. 

“ May the gods preserve me !” exclaimed the old 
mason, gazing upon the youthful pair in wonder. “ I 
hope this is no trick of Thaumas to blind me. Alaric, 
is it thou ?‘’ 

“ In truth, good Bellerus, it is,” returned our hero, 
extending his hand as he spoke. “ Surely thou shouldst 
know me.” 

“ Aye, and I do know thee now,” the host responded, 
grasping the youth warmly, and gazing eagerly into 
his face. “ By the crown of Pluto, I could not mistake 
that face. Thou art grown wondrously like thy noble 
father.” 


lanthe. — An Alarm, 


23 


Then I hope I may emulate his virtues/’ 

“ I hope you may ! I hope you may — and I think you 
will. But is it thou ? I ’faith, I can hardly believe my 
own eyes. I know that face can be none save Alaric’s, 
but should my eyes play me false ?” 

“ They do not play thee false, my father,” said lan- 
the, winding- one arm about the youth’s neck, and reclin- 
ing her head upon his bosom, “ for my heart yearned 
towards him at the first whisper of his voice.” 

‘‘Aye,” revSponded Alaric, folding the beautiful 
maiden once more to his bosom, “ love like ours need 
not fear deception.” 

“ I am satisfied,” replied Bellerus ; “ and it gives my 
old heart new life to find so glorious a satisfaction so 
easily.” 

The trio were soon seated, and when they had 
regained somewhat of their composure, Alaric gave a 
brief account of his adventures during his absence from 
Sicily. lanthe sat all the while with her head upon his 
bosom, ever and anon lifting her eyes to catch the warm 
glances of his love. At length the old craftsman went 
out, and the lovers were left alone. They told over the 
tales of affection they used to tell in other years, and 
for an hour the world was shut out from their 
thoughts. 

“ O 1” murmured lanthe, after Alaric had imprinted 
a warm kiss upon her brow in token of the renewal of 
his most solemn pledges, “ now that thou art near me, 
and my fount of love is full, I begin to fear the dangers 
which may beset thee I” 

“ Let us not think of danger now, my beloved,” 
replied the youth. “ This should be a season of joy 
and happiness unalloyed !” 

“ Aye, but we should not forget that there is a future, 


24 


A laric. 


and that we must be watchful of the joys to-day if we 
would have them with us henceforth.” 

“ Thou art right, lanthe. And I will be watchful. I 
know there is danger in the way, but I fear it not.” 

At this juncture Bellerus returned in haste, and there 
was a look of trouble upon his brow. He closed the 
door behind him, and then turned towards our hero. 

“ Alaric,” he said, evidently’’ striving to assume a calm- 
ness which he did not feel, have you any reason to 
suppose that your entrance into the city this evening 
was particularly noticed ?” 

Why do you ask ?” demanded the youth. 

lanthe had watched her lover’s face, and she saw 
that he was startled ; she saw that he had some cause 
for alarm. 

“ Speak !” she cried, starting to her feet, and seizing 
her father by the arm. “ He has cause for fear.” 

“ Beloved,” spoke Alaric, gently putting her back 
into her seat, let us understand this matter. Be not 
alarmed for me.” Then turning to Bellerus he con- 
tinued : 

Now, what has happened ? Why do you ask such a 
question ?” 

First, answer me,” returned the old man, hurriedly. 

Well, I think my entrance was particularly 
noticed.” 

And do you think you were followed on your way 
hither ?” 

I thought I was.” 

Now, why have you asked all this T' demanded 
lanthe, eagerly. 

“ I’ll tell you,” answered Bellerus. I have just 
come from the inn near the Temple of Diana, where I 
overheard a conversation between two soldiers who had 
just come from the Southern gate. They said that a 


lanthe. — An Alamn, 


25 


Greek vessel was seen upon the coast this morning, and 
that some one landed from her. I also made out, from 
their conversation, that the king had been informed of 
the fact, and that he had given orders that every 
stranger who entered the city should be watched, and 
intelligence of his whereabouts conveyed to him.” 

“ And does the Sicilian monarch descend to such 
narrow surveillance T asked Alaric. 

“ He is obliged to,” replied the mason. His throne 
is upon so frail a foundation that a passing breeze of 
trouble might overthrow it. His fears are constantly 
excited, and wherever they turn, there he sets his min- 
ions upon the watch. The approach of every vessel is 
reported to him, and if a stranger lands he is sure to be 
watched until his business is ascertained.” 

‘‘ Then I may be assured that I have been followed,” 
said our hero, for I suspected it while on my way 
hither.” 

“And if such be the case,”_ added Bellerus, “we shall 
hear more from it.” 

“ But before we wait for that well take some steps 
of our own,” cried Ian the. “ Some safe hiding-place 
must be found.” 

Alaric was upon the point of speaking when a loud 
knocking was heard without, and a voice demanded 
entrance in the name of the king. 

“ Fly ! fly !” cried lanthe, seizing her lover by the 
arm. 

“ Hold,” spoke Bellerus, who became calm in the 
presence of this necessity. “ If he flies he will not escape 
now, for our house may be watched upon all hands ; 
and if he is caught in the act of fleeing, a deeper and 
more deadly suspicion may fasten upon him.” 

“ Right,” quietly returned the youth. “ As matters 


26 


A laric. 


now, stand if there be danger we must look it in the 
face. But I trust there may be no cause for alarm.'’ 

Alas ! you know not the fierce cruelty of the wicked 
king," said lanthe still clinging to him. 

1 know my own honor and innocence," responded 
the youth, and I fear not to meet him." 

Another thundering knock was heard, and Bellerus 
started toward the door. 

We must meet it now," he said, ‘‘ though I wish I 
had known your coming had been noticed. lanthe, 
you had better withdraw." 

Not while — " 

Hush ! In this I must be the judge. For the good 
of him you love, I bid you seek your own apartment." 

‘‘ Aye," added the youth, leading her towards the 
inner court, do as he bids you. I shall be safe enough. 
At all events, I will see you again," 

He kissed her and blessed her ; and she passed from 
the apartment just as the host unbarred and opened the 
outer door. She stopped and caught her lover by the 
hand ere she left him, and, with a heavy fear upon her 
heart, she asked him to be careful. 

The thought of thee shall be inducement enough to 
that end," he replied. ‘^And now may the gods be 
with us both." 

In a few moments more Bellerus returned, and with 
him came four soldiers. They were stout, hard-looking 
men, whose hearts performed no other office than to 
furnish them with animal life that they might do the 
bidding of their master. One, who wore the uniform 
of a lieutenant, advanced from his companions and 
gazed into our hero’s face. 

You entered the city this evening ?" he said. 

Alaric hesitated for a moment, but during that short 
moment his mind was made up. He quickly judged 


Imithe, — An Alarm, 


27 


that any falsehood might only injure him, and he 
resolved to tell the whole truth. 

I did,” he answered. 

‘‘And you landed from a Greek vessel this morn- 
ing r 

“Yes.” 

“ Then you will go with us to the royal palace.” 

“ But why'is this ?” 

“ Because the king has so commanded.” 

“ Shall I see him to-night ?” 

“We came not to answer questions — only to com- 
mand your attendance at the palace,” said the lieuten- 
ant, gruffly. 

‘' Our gracious monarch will evidently see you 
to-night,” interposed Bellerus, who saw the flash of 
indignation in Alaric's eye, and feared that he might 
make matters worse by giving way to his feelings. 

The youth saw the old man's meaning, and he curbed 
his rising emotions. 

“ Are you ready to go ?” asked the offlcer. 

“ At any moment.” 

“ Then we have nothing further to detain us here.” 

Alaric put on his cap, and as they passed out through 
the narrow passage Bellerus found an opportunity to 
whisper in his ear : 

“ Be cautious — keep a guard on your tongue — men- 
tion not lanthe's name, nor suffer any allusion to her 
to drop from your tongue. Let us hope that the dan- 
ger is not great.” 

And yet there was a tremulousness in his tone — a 
terror in his very breathing — that belied the words of 
hope he spoke. Until this moment the youth had not 
felt serious alarm, but as he caught the look of horror 
upon the honest artisan's face, the bolt struck to his 
own heart. 


28 


A laric. 


“ The gods be with thee !” spoke Bellerus, as they 
reached the porch. 

But Alaric made no reply. At that moment a 
weighty thought was upon him, and before he could 
call his senses back for an answer he was hurried out 
into the street. The officer walked by his side, while 
one of the soldiers led the way, and the other two fell in 
behind. 

A variety of thoughts occupied Alaric’s mind as he 
passed on through the narrow, dimly lighted streets. 
He remembered how he had seen his father cut down, 
and how his brother had been butchered ; and the 
same bloody tyrant who had done it had now sent for 
him. Is it a wonder that, with all his bravery, the 
youth felt a cold chill creeping about his heart as he 
approached the lair of the remorseless monarch ? 

♦ 


CHAPTER III. 

DARKNESS AND DOOM. 

Pyrrho, king of Sicily, sat upon his throne of gold 
and precious stones, and about him were a few of the 
hardened, cruel, subservient men whom he dared to 
trust. He was a middle-aged man ; short and clumsy 
in stature ; with a face broad and brutal in its expres- 
sion, and strongly marked by dissipation and debauch- 
ery. If he had ever possessed the assurance of a brave 
man, he had lost it now, and his only hopes of safety 
were in the willing swords about him, and in the terror 
which his cruelty inspired. The light from three huge 
chandeliers of massive gold cast a strange luster oyer the 


Darkfiess and Doom, 


29 


large apartment, the beams being here reflected from 
polished mirrors ; there from pillars of marble and 
porphyry ; and anon taking deeper hues from the 
gaudy tapestry that hung upon the walls. 

‘‘ I would like to know who this stranger can be,” 
said the monarch, turning to his chamberlain. 

‘^Your majesty may soon see,” replied that high 
functionary, who seemed a fit man for the place he held 
under such a master. 

‘‘ The lieutenant who had the guard at the Pheron 
gate said he had a suspicious look. By the goddess 
Diana, I fancy not the free incoming of suspicious 
men. I tell thee, Donatus, there’s a ripeness among 
my people even now, which might burst into most 
exuberant rebellion, from the passing of one hot breath 
of sedition !” 

“ I think you overestimate the evil, sire,” replied the 
chamberlain, Donatus. ‘‘ There may be uneasy spirits 
in Syracuse ; but your firm friends are many.” 

I trust they may be,” the king returned, with a nod 
of the head and a compression of the lips, which would 
seem to imply that he was prepared for enemies. 

But,” he added, in a different tone, though his brow 
was still dark and contracted, what of this masonic 
craftsman, to whose dwelling the stranger was traced?” 

‘‘ You speak of Bellerus ?” 

‘‘Yes.” 

“ I know nothing of him save that he is an humble 
man, and one well versed in his calling. Did you ever 
suspect otherwise ?” 

“ If my memory serves me right,” muttered the mon- 
arch, bending his head until his brow rested upon his 
hand, “ there was something in his movements, or he 
was overheard to say something, which did once excite 
a doubt in my mind. But that was years ago — perhaps 


30 


A laric. 


before I became king — so it may pass, and be can be 
watched if need be. Ah ! here comes the lieutenant. 
We shall see.’' 

There was a movement among the guard at the 
lower end of the chamber, and presently an officer 
approached the throne, leading Alaric by the arm. 

Is he unarmed ?” the king cried, as his eye rested 
upon the youth's tall and sinewy frame. 

“He is, sire. We found only a simple sword upon 
him, and that we took from him." 

A contemptuous look overspread the youth's face as 
he thus found a monarch so fearful ; but when he 
gazed full upon the features of the tyrant who had 
slain his loved kindred, an expression of deadly hate 
swept over his noble brow, and a keen fire burned in 
his dark eye. 

“Ye gods!" gasped the king, as he caught a fuU 
view of the youth’s face, with this deep expression from 
the soul upon it, “ what have we here ? Come no 
nearer ! Guard him well ! Who art thou ?" 

Had the sword of death been at that moment sus- 
pended over our hero's head, and ready to fall at a 
breath, he could not have curbed the emotions that 
swelled in his soul. In all his nature there was not a 
principle or incentive that could lead him to bow and 
cringe before one whom he so utterly despised and 
detested. Had he thought of the future, he might have 
spoken differently ; but he thought only of the present 
and of the past, he thought only of the bloody wrongs 
that had been done, and he allowed his soul to have full 
sway. 

“ I am Alaric,*' he answered, looking full into 
Pyrrho’s face. 

Alaric ! Alaric ! What Alaric art thou ?" 

“ Hold, sire," interposed the chamberlain, who had 


Darkness and Doom, 


31 


been regarding the youth narrowly, ‘‘ Me thinks thou 
shouldst know that face. He is the son of Orneus.'^ 

Ha ! Now, by the gods, I know him cried the 
king, starting up from his seat, but quickly sinking 
back again. Art thou the son of the patrician 
Orneus ?” 

When my noble father lived I was his son,’' the 
prisoner replied. 

‘‘ And when your noble father died you fled from the 
country ?” said the monarch, with sarcastic emphasis 
upon the words he had repeated from the youth’s 
speech. 

did flee,” was the reply. 

And have you been absent ever since ?” 

I have.” 

“ Where ?” 

In Greece.” 

Why hast thou returned now ?” 

To see the land of my birth.” 

“ And you came for no other purpose ?” 

I could have had no other.” 

Then why that humble fisher’s garb ?” 

Because in station I am as humble.” 

“As the poisonous reptile crouches low upon the 
earth when on mischief the most intent,” said the king, 
with a look of mingled fear and hatred into the youth’s 
face. 

“ Those who suspect easily may easily suspect without 
a cause,” replied Alaric, returning the monarch’s 
glance. 

“Aye, thou showest in thy speech the spirit of extreme 
humility thou didst bring with thee. But say, who 
came with thee ?” 

“ I landed alone upon these shores, your majesty, and 


32 


A laric. 


had no thought but to find a friend ; and then, if need 
be, to leave the country again/' 

‘‘ And who this friend you sought ?*' 

A bosom fr d of my early youth, whose influence 
extends not beyond the walls of her home." 

“ Ah ! a female, eh ?" 

“ Yes." 

‘‘ And lives she with the artisan Bellerus Y* 

‘‘ I went there to seek her !" 

‘‘ And there you found her ?" 

I heard of her there." 

“ Answer me !" cried the king in a voice of rage. By 
the sacred crown of Jupiter, thou hadst better bite off 
thine own head than answer me again as thou hast 
done. Who is this maiden thou hast come to seek ?" 

Alaric hesitated ere he replied to this. He remem- 
bered the warning he had received from Bellerus, and 
he began to feel that he had been too rash in his 
speech. But he had no choice now. If he refused to 
answer, the king could easily send to the dwelling of 
the mason, and thus matters might be only made worse. 
She is the daughter of Bellerus," he finally said. 

The monarch gazed into the youth's face for some 
moments without speaking. There was a look of deadly 
meaning upon his hard features, and his fingers moved 
nervously over his knees. At length he turned to his 
chamberlain and said : 

“ This is a curious freak of circumstance. But the 
young man is like a stranger in our city, and we must 
provide for him — at least for a while." Then turning 
to Alaric he added : 

‘‘ Since I have had thee brought hither against thy 
will, thou shalt be provided for during the night." 
can easily provide for myself, sire." 

Aye, but we do not choose that thou shouldst be 


Darkness and Doom, 


33 


put to that inconvenience. We have room enough, and 
to spare ; and it will afford us true gratification to know 
that thou art cared for." 

t.1 

Alaric could not mistake the meanin^.pf these words. 
The look which accompanied them was a sufficient key 
to their import. But he could do nothing now to help 
himself. He could only trust to circumstances as they 
should present themselves. 

The king called one of his officers to his side and 
whispered something into his ear, and then turned once 
more to the youth. 

“ It is waxing late now, and we all have need of rest," 
he said ; “ so thou shalt be conducted to a place of safety 
until to-morrow." 

But sire," interposed our hero, ‘‘ why should you 
keep me here to-night ? I can be found when you want 
me." 

“ We are not so sure of that. But it is our will that 
you remain. Hippon, you will conduct him to a place 
of rest, and report to me when thou hast done it." 

The man thus addressed approached our hero, and 
placed his hand upon his arm. 

‘‘ Come," he said. 

Alaric started as he heard the tones of that voice, for 
they sounded like a knell. The word was not spoken 
as speaks one who leads a guest to a quiet chamber. 

‘‘ Go with him," spoke the king. 

Alaric turned, and was led away. In an ante-room 
his conductor was joined by four dark, sinister-looking 
men, who had more the appearance of common ruffians 
than waiters upon a king, and then he was seized by 
both arms, and hurried on through a vaulted passage to 
a dimly-lighted corridor. Presently the officer, who 
was Hippon, the jailer, stopped at a deep niche, where a 


34 


A laric. 


guard was posted, and procured a torch, by the glaring 
light of which he led on once more. 

On, through dark and narrow passages, and down, 
down, down, long and steep stairways, the yoiith was led ; 
and when his conductors finally stopped, Hippon opened 
a door of solid metal, which swung out from a jagged 
wall, and the prisoner was forced roughly in. 

‘^You’ll find rest here,” the jailer said, raising the 
torch above his head, so that he might the better gaze 
around. 

It was a narrow, damp, noisome dungeon, far down in 
the depths of the earth, with no couch, no chair, noth- 
ing but the jagged, slimy walls, and the dripping roof 
and festering floor. 

‘‘ Why am I here ?” the youth cried, as soon as he had 
opportunity to witness the horrors of the place. 

For safe-keeping, I should judge,” replied Hippon, 
with a cruel leer. 

Is it meant that I shall go out from here alive ?” 

You should know the disposition of our gracious 
majesty well enough to judge of that for yourself, I 
ween.” 

As the jailer thus spoke, he motioned for his compan- 
ions to leave the dungeon, and he was about to follow 
them, when the prisoner again addressed him ; 

‘‘ Answer me one thing : It can do no harm for me to 
know the truth. Am I to die here ?” 

“ I know not. Yet I will tell thee this : If it has 
pleased Pyrrho to determine upon thy death, thou’lt 
not be kept long in waiting.” 

With this the man withdrew, and the massive door 
was closed. It was shut with a dull, heavy sound, the 
reverberations being drunk up by the solid walls as 
soon as they fell upon the air, and the prisoner was left 
in utter darkness. He closed his eyes, and then opened 


Dai^kiicss and Doom, 


35 


them again, to see if some glimmer might not be found 
to break the horrible gloom ; but it was all in vain. He 
groped his way to the wall, and leaned against it for 
support, for there was no seat save the floor. 

The youth was not long in making up his mind that 
he had been doomed to death. He knew the character 
of the monarch, and that no deed would be too evil for 
him. He knew, also, how fear could make the tyrant 
more cruel than before, and to what deeds of darkness 
the fear-stricken usurper could descend. 

“ And,*' mused Alaric, as he wiped the gathering 
dampness from his brow, “ I am one whom he may have 
occasion to dread. My presence in Syracuse not only 
calls up old scenes in his own mind, but he knows it must 
call up the same recollections in the minds of others. My 
father was much honored by the people, and many who 
are now living loved him well. My presence would annoy 
the tyrant, and he will not surely be worried if he can 
avoid it. I am in his power so completely that hardly 
a soul in Sicily would know that I was gone. ‘‘ Woe is 
me," he added, after a few moments of silence, “ why 
should I doubt ? Why am I here, if it be not to die ? 
My fate has been pronounced in Pyrrho's mind, and my 
doom is fixed !" 

It was a terrible thought, and for a while Alaric was 
inclined to blame himself for what he had done ; but 
when he came to reflect upon the transactions of the 
day, he could not see how the present result could 
have been avoided. It had flown from causes over 
which he could have exercised no control without the 
power of foreknowledge. He thought of lanthe, and 
he wondered if he should ever see her again. The 
chances were against it, but he was not prepared to 
give up all hope. He had just started to grope his way 
around the slimy wall, when he heard the sound of 


36 


A laric. 


footsteps without, and presently the moving of bolts 
fell upon his ear. In a few moments more the door of 
his dungeon was opened, and three men entered, one of 
them bearing a flaming torch. They were huge fellows, 
clad in somber garbs, and each bore a naked sword in 
his hand. Alaric recognized those garbs, for he had 
seen them years before, and he knew that only the exe- 
cutioners wore them ! The moment his eye rested upon 
the grim visitors, he knew that his doom had been 
spoken, and that the time for execution had come ! 
Instinctively he placed his hand upon his hip, but there 
was no weapon there. He was all unarmed, and seem- 
ingly powerless against the gigantic ruffians. The man 
who held the torch leaned it up against the wall, where 
a projecting point of rock helped support it, and then 
the three approached the prisoner. 

How now ?” spoke Alaric. What is your business 
here ?” 

A foul business you’d say if you knew it, my master,” 
replied the leader of the infernal trio, in an unfeeling 
tone ; “ but when ’tis done, we’ll do it so well you won’t 
know we’ve done it at all.” 

Was there any mistaking this ? 

I am to die !” the youth said, with his hands clasped 
upon his bosom. 

We’ve all got to die some time, and those who die 
first will get the sooner out of a very wicked world. 
And since you know what’s coming, I suppose you’ll 
take it as easily as possible.” 

What a lifetime of thought and feeling was 
crowded into the next moment ! The three gleaming 
swords were raised, and the doomed youth saw them 
pointing surely toward his heart. There was no escape 
by flight, for between him and the door advanced the 
workmen of death ! There was no hope in his own 


Strategems, 


37 


strength of body and limb, for, unarmed as he was,‘the 
power opposed to him was unconquerable. So he 
leaned back against the reeking wall,’ and shut the 
horrid monsters from his sight. 


CHAPTER IV. 

STRATEGEMS. 

When Alaric’s thoughts were all given up to death, he 
resigned himself to his fate without an effort ; but in the 
moment that followed the bowing of his head he thought 
of lanthe, and the resolution to live came upon him, and 
with it came an impulse to his will which gave fresh 
vigor to his faculties. The fatal points were close upon 
his bosom, and in a moment more the tide of his life 
would be let forth. 

“ Hold !” he cried, in a tone so deep and startling that 
the three executioners stopped, and dropped the points 
of their weapons as though some unseen hand had held 
them. ‘‘ The king fears me ?” he added, when he saw 
that the attention of the ruffians had been distracted from 
their work of blood. 

“ I know not,** replied one of the trio, in a half-savage 
tone. 

“ But I know,” resumed Alaric. ‘‘ Were it not so, he 
would not have sent you here to put me to death. But 
I will not ask you to disobey your master.** 

“ It would benefit you little if you did ask,** said the 
ruffian with an assuring shake of the head. 

“ I know your office too well to hope for mercy at your 
hands,’* continued the youth, with some show of mystery 


38 


A laric. 


in his manner ; but ere I die I would confide to your 
keeping a secret which may not only benefit the king, 
but which may be the means of advancement to your- 
selves/’ 

“ If you have a secret, let us have it, for we have no 
time to waste.” 

“ It is a secret of the utmost importance to the king. 
Here, it is all upon this piece of parchment,” pursued 
Alaric in quick, eager tones. He placed his hand within 
his bosom as he spoke, and when he drew it forth he 
added : “ Take this to his majesty when I am dead, and 

bid him look well to the men whose names are therein 
written. It will serve you a good turn — ” 

At this moment the leader of the ruffians had advanced 
to take the parchment which he supposed he was going 
to receive, and his sword was so carelessly held that our 
hero, watching his opportunity with a keen eye, caught 
at it and secured it, and, before the disarmed executioner 
could fully realize what had transpired, he was laid pros- 
trate upon the pavement with his head almost severed 
from his body. 

Alaric had no fear now. With the heavy sword in his 
grasp he leaped into a corner, and placed himself upon 
his guard. The remaining executioners, as soon as they 
saw the fate of their companion, and realized that the 
prisoner was armed, sprang upon him with fierce exe- 
crations. With a lightning-like movement the youth 
leaped into the opposite corner, thereby avoiding the 
thrusts which were aimed at him, and as he turned he 
dealt the man nearest him a blow which staggered him. 
Without waiting for a fresh attack, he sprang upon the 
other ruffian before he had fully recovered himself, and 
easily slew him. The second man had somewhat recov- 
ered himself, and now set upon the youth with wild 
fury ; but the blood was streaming over his face from 


Strategems. 


39 


the wound he had received, and his sight was far from 
being- sure. Alaric glided easily away from his blows, 
and finally gave him a thrust that placed him beyond 
the power of further effort. 

As soon as the youth saw that his three dark visitors 
were thus safely disposed of, he caught up the torch and 
made his way from the dungeon ; but ere he had gone 
far, he remembered that his garb might too easily be 
recognized, and he thought it safe to make some kind of 
an exchange with one of the fallen men. So he went 
back, and having taken the frock from the second man 
he had slain, he put it on over his own, and then buckled 
the broad leathern belt about his loins. To this he sus- 
pended the scabbard of the sword he had first taken, and 
when he had donned the large black cap, he once more 
left the cell. He remembered the way which he had 
come, and he followed it back until he had ascended two 
flights of steps, and reached the entrance of the long 
corridor, within which stood the guard of whom Hippon 
had obtained the torch. Here he stopped, for he dared 
go no further in that direction. An alarm, now that he 
had reached the ground floor of the palace, might cost 
him his life. He saw a narrow passage leading off to 
the right, and from the direction it took, and the current 
of fresh air which came through it, he judged that it 
must lead to the rear court. He entered it, and pressed 
on, still keeping the torch, which burned with a bright, 
flaring flame. At some distance he came to a descent 
of four broad steps, and when he had gone down these 
the way grew wider ; and in a few minutes he came 
upon a boy, who seemed to be asleep by a low door. 
The youngster started to a sitting posture as our hero 
came up to him, and having rubbed his eyes till he 
fancied he could see, he looked up. 


40 


Alaric, 


“ Minerva save us !” he ejaculated, with a shudder. 

Are ye going to kill anybody out here T 

‘‘ Not if you keep quiet,*' replied Alaric, as he passed 
on. But he hesitated ere he had gone many steps, and 
turned back. He might press this fellow into some 
service. 

Look ye, boy,** he said, holding the torch so that as 
little light as possible should shine into his own face, 

you belong here, don*t you ?’* 

“Yes, master. I*m one of the wine-keeper*s boys,** 
replied the little fellow, getting upon his feet. 

“ And you are well acquainted with the doors and pas- 
sages hereabout ?** 

“ Yes.** 

“You sometimes slip out of a night, when there's 
nobody to watch you ?” 

“No, no, master, I can go into the court when I 
please.*’ 

Alaric cast his eyes about him to see that no one else 
was near, and then said, in a low, resolute tone : 

“ I would not willingly harm you, boy, and if you will 
conduct me in safety from this place no evil shall befall 
you ; but if you hesitate or refuse, this sword shall — ** 

“ Mercy ! mercy ! good master !** the fellow cried, 
clasping his hands in terror. 

“ Hush ! Make no noise. If you will conduct me 
safely to the outer court, no harm shall come to you.” 

“ But aren’t you one of the king’s — ** 

“ Never mind what I am. Will you guide me, or 
shall I—** 

“ Mercy !** uttered the boy again, as he saw the point 
of the sword raised. “ Don’t kill me. I’ll do anything 
you say.” 

“ Then mark me : Conduct me from the palace as 
speedily as possible. If you hesitate, or lead me into 


Strategems, 


41 


danger, you shall die on the instant ; but if you guide 
me out as I have said, I will do you no injury. Now 
what say you — can you do it T 

The boy contrived after a while to overcome his 
fright, and when he found that there was no present 
danger he seemed to reason more calmly, though his 
look and bearing plainly showed that he feared the stern 
man who stood by him. 

‘‘ I can lead you to the rear court,’' he said, but the 
walls are very high, and guards are stationed at every 
outlet.” 

‘‘ Is there not some door or gate by which I can gain 
the public street ?” 

Good Bacchus !” ejaculated the boy, gazing into his 
interlocutor’s face with wonder. You must be a new 
man among the executioners. I thought everybody in 
Syracuse knew that no possible avenue to the palace 
was left unguarded.” 

‘‘ Well, well,” said our hero, who liked not to stand in 
the passage, ‘‘ lead me to the court.” 

Then follow me.” 

“But my torch — I would not have that seen.” 

“ You may carry it to the end of this corridor, and 
then we shall be in the open air,” replied the boy. 

Alaric followed him until he stood upon the pavement 
of the lower court. 

“ There is the bath,” said the youthful guide, pointing 
to a large structure of white marble, close at hand ; 
“ and beyond is the bakery. The wall runs all round, 
and the posterns are guarded.” 

“ Is there not some private way, to which you can gain 
the key ?” asked Alaric, after he had thrown aside the 
extinguished torch. 

“ I don’t know of any, sir.” 

“ And how is it about leaving the court at this time of 


42 


Alaric, 


night? What is necessary to enable one to pass the 
guard ?” 

‘‘ A pass from the chief, who keeps his station in the 
great hall, where all must go out and come in who leave 
the palace/' 

“ What's this pass ?" 

A ticket of brass." 

‘‘ And all who go out have one ?" 

‘‘Yes." 

“ And if they have such a pass, the guards ask no 
questions ?" 

“ Not often." 

Alaric saw very plainly that he was not free yet, and 
he might have to resort to some further strategem ere 
he could gain the public highways. 

“Boy," he said, after he had reflected awhile, “ If I 
let you go now, will you return directly to the place 
where I found you, and say nothing of having seen me ?" 

“ I will, my master." 

“ But how may I know that you will do it ?" 

“I pray that the furies may fly away with me if I 
tell a lie," replied the boy, earnestly. 

Alaric believed, from what he had seen of the lad, 
that he might trust him — that is, he believed a sense of 
fear would lead him to hasten back and keep quiet ; so 
he resolved to let him go. First, however, he asked 
him where the gate w^as which was most used at night ; 
and the little fellow pointed out a high tower upon the 
wall, and said the gate was directly under it. 

“ And now," said our hero, “ I want you to remember 
one thing : If I get safely out all will be well ; but if I 
am detected through your means, I shall most surely 
see you again." 

“ Holy Jupiter crush me, and great Vulcan pound me 
into hot iron, if I ever say a word !" cried the boy 


Strategenis. 


43 


earnestly and devoutly. ‘‘ If you won't hurt me, I will 
never speak a word of you." 

Alaric let the fellow go, and when he had gone from 
his sight he turned towards the tower, which he could 
plainly see looming up against the sky. A walk of smooth 
pavement led to it, and when he had come near enough 
to distinguish the gate-way, he stopped. He could see 
the forms of several soldiers lounging about, their bright 
spear-heads gleaming in the light of the heavy lamp 
that hung within the arch, and he quickly made up his 
mind that mere physical force would be of no service 
there ; so he wandered back until he had gained the 
shelter of a large olive tree, where he stopped to con- 
sider. He knew it would be of no use to attempt to scale 
the wall, for that was built on purpose to resist all such 
efforts, either from without or from within. Yet he 
must find some means of escape, and the sooner the 
better. He judged that it was then not far from mid- 
night, and the guard would soon be relieved. 

While he stood thus pondering, he heard footsteps at 
no great distance, and pretty soon he saw a dusky form 
approaching from one of the wings of the palace. As 
the paved walk led close by the tree, he remained still, 
and watched the coming pedestrian. In a few minutes 
he could see that it was a man, and, in a few more, that 
it was a servant, as the garb presented no ornament to 
reflect the starbeams. Alaric ’s course was quickly 
resolved upon, and having assured himself that no one 
else was approaching, he stepped out to the side of the 
walk just as the stranger came along. 

A fair evening," said our hero, stepping to the edge 
of the walk. 

The man stopped and gazed at the speaker. He was 
a middle-sized person, and, from his garb, appeared to 
be a servant in the purveyor's department. 


44 


Alaric. 


“ Are you Roing out ?’' Alaric continued. 

Of course I’m going out,” returned the serving-man, 
rather huffily. “ I hope the king hasn’t placed his 
deathmen over us for guards.” 

Not at all,” responded Alaric. But if you will 
listen a moment, I can give you a piece of news that 
may make your fortune.” 

Eh ? A fortune ?” echoed the fellow, forgetting that 
his companion wore the garb of a common executioner. 

‘‘ Yes. Have you a pass ?” 

Of course I have. I shouldn’t be on my way in this 
direction without it.” And as the man spoke he drew a 
triangular plate of brass from his pocket. 

“Are you going out on business, or merely for pleas- 
ure ?” 

“ For pleasure, of course. One needs pleasure after 
lugging provisions all the day long.” 

“ Will you be out long T* 

“ Till daylight.” 

“ Then you will have plenty of time. Come this way 
— beneath this tree — and I will tell you the secret. But 
you will not divulge it ?” 

“ You can depend upon me.” 

“ If it yield thee not more than a thousand broad 
pieces of silver, and a full purveyor’s office, then I’ll 
quit the palace myself,” said Alaric, as he saw the fel- 
low hesitate. 

At this the man started up, and in a few moments 
stood beneath the olive tree. 

“ Now, what is it ?” he asked. 

“ Dost see where yonder star almost touches the top 
of the temple ?” 

“ Aye,” responded the other, gazing in the direction 
pointed out. 

And while he yet gazed at the star, Alaric gave him a 


Strategems, 


45 


blow upon the ear that felled him to the earth, and 
without loss of time, he drew his sword and knelt upon 
his breast. 

“ Breathe but a single word, and thou art a dead 
man the yputh said, in a tone which carried convic- 
tion with it. 

“ Don’t murder me !” gasped the fallen man. “ What 
is it ? What mean you 

‘‘ Only for you to keep perfectly quiet, and obey me,” 
responded Alaric, with the point of his sword at the fel- 
low’s heart. If you make no attempt to thwart me, 
you shall be free from all harm. Let me bind this 
scarf over your mouth.” 

The purveyor’s man made some objection, but the 
unmistakable manner in which the sword was presented 
to his bosom soon brought him into subjection, and he 
suffered himself to be gagged. Alaric then made him 
exchange clothes with him, for he wished not lo venture 
into the streets habited in the blood-marked garments 
he now wore ; and when this was done he possessed 
himself of the brass ticket, and concealed his sword 
beneath his new frock. Thus prepared, he took one 
more look at the prostrate man, and when assured that 
all was safe in that quarter, he started for the gate. He 
pulled the long locks of hair well over his temples, 
drew the cap down over his brow, and walked boldly to 
the post of the guard. He made a trivial remark about 
the lateness of the hour as he exhibited his pass, and 
the sentinal, who seemed to be waiting anxiously for the 
relief guard, simply glanced at it, and gruffly bade him 
pass on. 

In a very short time Alaric was in the public street, 
and without stopping long to consider, he hurried on. 
He remembered the way from the palace to the quarter 
where Bellerus lived, and he concluded to seek the old 


46 


A laric. 


mason’s residence first, trusting that, if necessary, lie 
would thence find some place of concealment. He was 
resolved to get out of the city as soon as possible, and 
take lanthe with him, knowing that upon the shores of 
Greece he could find a home where peace and joy might 
be his. He had forgotten the startling thought which 
had been called to his mind at the Hermit’s Cave ; or, 
if it still dwelt in his memory, the thought of happiness 
with his beloved overcame it. He had seen enough of 
Syracuse to assure him that, while Pyrrho sat upon the 
throne, there could be no peace for him within its walls. 
Had he returned to his native city for vengeance alone 
he might have felt differently ; but he came for love, 
and he willingly sought no strife. 

Swiftly the youth hurried on, avoiding the few people 
who yet remained in the streets, and keeping his features 
hidden as much as possible. He would find Bellerus, 
and at once secure a place of safe retreat from the 
myrmidons of the tyrant whom he was convinced would 
be ere long pursuing him. 




CHAPTER V. 

ROYAL PERPLEXITY. 

Pyrrho had determined that he would not retire 
until he had heard the final account from his prisoner. 

“Donatus,” he said, to his chamberlain, who was 
alone with him, save the twelve black slaves who stood 
behind the throne, ‘‘ I have strange presentiments in 
connection with this youth, Alaric. I speak freely with 


Royal Perplexity, 


47 


you, because I know that the hour which sees me fall 
must also witness your demise.” 

And the king spoke truly here. He felt sure of the 
faith of his chief officers only because their fates were 
inseparably linked with his own. They had become so 
obnoxious to the people that the power of the throne, 
and fear of the royal vengeance, alone kept the hand of 
vengeance from them. Full well did the royal chamber- 
lain, and the chief jailer, and the captain of the guard, 
and all the centurions know that if Pyrrho should fall 
they would most assuredly fall with him. And so they 
were bound to him by the very tie of their own lives. 

“ You may be sure of my honor, sire,” replied 
Donatus, ‘‘ without the spur of fear. Yet I know we 
stand or fall together.” 

I thought not of questioning your loyalty, good 
Donatus. It was a mere passing thought, and I gave it 
utterance. But of this Alaric : I have old recollec- 
tions, old dreams, old presentiments called up by his 
presence.” 

Yet your majesty will soon be rid of them.” 

How so ?” 

‘‘ The youth must be dead ere this, if the executioners 
perform their work as they usually do.” 

I know. Those stout villains are men of few words. 
Their swords are more ready than their tongues. But it 
is not alone of this youth that my thoughts are troubled. 
Years ago there was some whisper of Bellerus, at whose 
house this Alaric was found. I was only a general then, 
and Glaucus was king. Had I been king I might have 
followed it out. I have had the old mason watched, but 
nothing has appeared against him. All his ingoings 
and outgoings are of the most seemly character. But 
this event has revived the doubts, and I mean to fathom 
them.” 


48 


Alaric, 


“ I remember something of this, sire,” said the cham- 
berlain, thoughtfully. 

“ Ah — do you ?” 

“ Yes. I call it to mind now.” 

‘‘ Can you remember any particular ?” 

“ Let me think. Aye, I have it now. It was while 
Glaucus was trembling on his throne through fear of 
his general, Basilus. The craftsman, Bellerus, in com- 
pany with some of his fellows, said, that he might live to 
see the time when a word from his lips would empty the throne 
of Sicily^ and fill it anewP 

Aye, Donatus, thou art right,” cried the king. “ I 
remember now. And I remember that some impor- 
tance was given to the man’s saying at the time ; 
though, if I remember right, he declared most solemnly 
that he spoke only in jest.” 

“ It was so,” replied the chamberlain ; and there the 
matter rested.” 

‘‘And there it may rest for the present,” added the 
king. And thus speaking he turned towards the small 
door by the throne and clapped his hands. A page 
entered at the signal, and Pyrrho bade him go and call 
the chief jailer, 

“ Come, come, Hippon,” the monarch said, address- 
ing that official as he entered, “ it is high time thou 
brought ’st a report from the executioners.” 

“ I have been waiting for them, sire.” 

“ Have they not had time to do their work 

“ Plenty.” 

“ Then seek them, and bring me word.” 

The jailer hurried from the royal presence, and when 
he was gone the king began to walk to and fro with 
nervous steps. 

“ Thou art troubled, sire,” spoke Donatus, as he 
watched Pyrrho’s changing countenance. 


Royal Perplexity, 


49 


“ Aye, I am troubled,” was the quick response. I 
feel not as I would wish to feel. Doubts and fears are 
hanging about me like bad dreams.” 

“ And are they not mere dreams after all ?” 

I don’t know.” The king strode hastily across the 
wide apartment several times, and then he stopped and 
added — 

‘‘ I tell thee the earth is fervid beneath our feet, and 
at the least opening the volcano might burst forth. 
Donatus,” he continued, seizing the chamberlain by the 
hand, and gazing eagerly into his face, why should 
you and I try to hide the truth from our own compre- 
hension ? I tell thee again — the air is hot in Syracuse, 
and at times I feel it burn as I breathe it. We must be 
wary and prompt. If there be those upon whom sus- 
picion can rest — no matter how slightly — they must be 
put from off the face of the earth ! Dost compre- 
hend ?” 

Aye, sire ; and most fully do I agree with thee.” 

I’ll keep my eyes open, Donatus, and if the earth 
shows a disposition to heave in any one spot, upon that 
spot the sword shall be laid.” 

Right, sire. I know how suddenly a great fire can 
grow from one chance spark.” 

‘‘ And we’ll put those sparks out. Blood is an excel- 
lent thing with which to quench them.” 

At this point the jailer returned. He came in with- 
out ceremony, and his face was pale, and his body 
trembled. 

How now ?” cried the king, as soon as he saw the 
officer’s strange agitation. Speak ! What has hap- 
pened ?” 

“ The prisoner has escaped !” 

Fool ! I spoke of the youth Alaric.” 

And of him I speak,” returned Hippon. 


50 


A laric. 


But he has not escaped ?’* 

“Yes, sire/' 

“ Now, by the gods, thou liest ! Thou didst tell me 
he was safely lodged within the deepest dungeon of the 
palace ; and from thence mortal man ne’er yet 
escaped !” 

“ But, sire/’ cried the jailer, “let me explain. The 
prisoner has hewn his way over your executioners. He 
has slain them all three, and thus passed out.” 

“ But he had no weapon.” 

“ He must have first disarmed one of the executioners, 
for the chief of the trio had been stripped of his sword, 
and another of his raiment.” 

“ Is this true ?” asked the king, grasping his jailer by 
the shoulder. 

“Just as I have told thee, sire.” 

“ And what have ye done 

“ I have started the guards through every avenue of 
the palace, and sent some to the court.” 

“ Then haste thee away and bring me intelligence of 
the result. He cannot have passed the guard, and so 
he cannot have left the palace.” 

Hippon left the royal presence, and when he was 
gone the king turned to his chamberlain. 

“ Now by the fires of Tartarus !’ he cried, smiting 
his hands together, “ this exceeds all belief. Did you 
ever hear of such a thing ?” 

“ Never, sire.” 

“ To kill three of my executioners ! To rob that 
gigantic villain of his sword ! By the crown of Jupiter, 
he has the hiss of the volcano in him. But he cannot 
have escaped.” 

“ I should think not, sire.” 

After this the monarch paced to and fro across the 
apartment, and finally sank down upon the base of one 


Royal Perplexity. 


51 


of the pillars by the throne, where he remained until 
the jailer returned. 

“ Ha, g-ood Hippon,'’ he cried, starting to his feet, 
“ have ye secured him ?” 

‘‘ No, sire. He has fled from the palace.” 

“ Out upon thee for a liar now ! He could not have 
fled. My walls no mortal can overcome, and my guards 
are incorruptible !” 

“Let me speak, sire,” urged Hippon, trembling with 
apprehension. “ The prisoner has used a most curious 
strategem to accomplish this. Beneath the old olive 
tree, near the bath, we found a servant of the purveyor, 
named Osephus. He was bound hand and foot and a 
firm stop was put upon his mouth. He told us, when 
we had set him free, how a man, clad in the habiliments 
of an executioner, set upon him and knocked him sense- 
less upon the earth, and then bound him and gagged 
him, and robbed him of his garments and his pass, and 
then made off. Upon going to the gate we learned 
that a man wearing the garb of the purveyor’s servitor, 
had passed out about half an hour before.” 

“ Have ye sent for him ?” demanded the king, grind- 
ing his teeth with rage. 

“ No sire. I dared not order out — ” 

“ ’Tis well,” interrupted Pyrrho, striding across the 
apartment, and striking a bell which hung by one of the 
hidden doors. In a moment the captain of the royal 
guard made his appearance. 

“ Claudian,” spoke the monarch, “ didst see the 
prisoner, Alaric, who was brought hither this night ?” 

“ I did, sire,” replied the captain. 

“ Then mark me well. He has escaped. Select the 
swiftest and surest of thy men, and send one to each of 
the gates, with this order to the guard : That no 
person be allowed to leave the city, upon any pretext 


52 


A laric. 


whatever, till further orders. And if, at any gate, a 
man has passed out within the last hour, who was not 
well and surely known, have swift punsuers put upon his 
track. Hasten with this, and send your lieutenant hither 
as you go.’* 

With a quick step the captain left the royal presence, 
and presently the lieutenant entered. 

“ I think,” said the king, turning to his chamberlain 
‘‘ that the youth may have gone direct to the house of 
Bellerus.” 

‘Wery likely he may have stopped there for awhile,” 
returned Donatus ; “ but I should hardly think he would 
remain there.” 

At all events, I shall send for him there, and I’ll have 
all in the house arrested and brought hither.” 

‘‘ But, sire, be careful.” 

Of w^hat !” 

“ Of this Bellerus. The more I think of him, the more 
I fear him.” 

Fear so humble a man ?” muttered the king, half to 
himself. 

‘‘ There may be reasons for it. But still we should 
arrest him, though it should be carefully done. We 
may solve all our doubts, if we can but have him in our 
power awhile.” 

“ But where can be the harm supposing we arrest and 
execute him ?” 

“ Why, look ye, sire ; he is one of a large class of 
which we know but little. I have heard it said that the 
craftsmen of our city — the cunning artificers and the 
sturdy workmen — all, of both high and low degree — from 
the chief architect to the hewer of stone and the bearer 
of burdens — are bound together by mystic ties ; and 
that it is a. holy fraternity.” 

“ I have heard of such a thing,” returned Pyrrho, but 


Royal Perplexity. 


53 


I gave it no credence. Think you there is reason in 
the rumor ?’* 

‘‘ I think there may be, sire. I have heard that they 
worship an unseen deity — that they acknowledge but 
one God, whom they call Jehovah, and that they hold 
his name in such veneration that they will not pro- 
nounce it save in sanctified places.” 

‘‘Why ! such is the name of an Eastern deity,” said 
the king. “ A nation called Israel worship such an 
one.” 

“ Aye,” responded Donatus, “ and these craftsmen 
have surely brought the worship hither.” 

“ Then, by the Fates ! we must have the old mason 
here. I would examine him.” 

“ But be cautious, sire. We know not who may be his 
friends, nor how much stir his arrest and punishment 
might make.” 

“ I will use all caution, Donatus, and if this organiza- 
tion have an existence in our mid.st, I must know it. 
What, ho, there ! Fingal !” 

The lieutenant approached the king, and bowed his 
head. 

“Thou didst arrest the houth at the house of Bel- 
lerus,” said Pyrrho. 

“ I did, sire.” 

“You knew he had escaped ?” 

“ Yes. The captain told me so.” 

“ Then take a strong guard and make all haste to that 
same house, and find Aleric if you can. If he has been 
there, and is gone, then send all whom you may find in 
the house hither under suitable guard, and lay upon his 
track till morning. Be quiet about it, and make as 
little show as possible.” 

With this the lieutenant turned away, and the king and 
his chamberlain were once more alone. The monarch 


54 


A larzc. 


paced tip and down the apartment for some moments, 
and when he finally stopped, he placed his hand upon 
the shoulder of his companion, and looked him earnestly 
in the face. 

“ Donatus,'* he said, “ I have an idea — one that I have 
long been in need of. By the horns of Pan, but 111 be 
my own executioner henceforth !'* 

How so, sire V asked the chamberlain, in surprise. 
111 tell thee when the time comes. Thou knowest 
the old vault in the closet beyond my private bath ?’* 

‘‘ Yes.’^ 

And what think you it was built for ?’/ 

I always supposed some previous king must have 
digged for water there. It is very deep, is it not ?” 

Aye ! as deep as darkness itself. By the gods, it is 
a glorious thought !’* 

And for a while the king almost forgot the flight of 
his prisoner in the new and strange idea which had pre- 
sented itself to his mind. 


CHAPTER VI. 

ONE IS SAVED ; BUT WHERE IS THE OTHER ? 

Alaric reached the door of Bellerus' dwelling in 
safety, but he hesitated ere he knocked for admittance. 
He supposed, as soon as his escape was discovered, that 
search would be made for him there, and for awhile he 
thought of seeking elsewhere. But upon deliberating 
further, he thought it safe enough just to let the old 
man know of his situation, and, perhaps, seek his aid in 
gaining a final escape. So he thumped upon the hollow 


One is Saved, 


55 


post, and in a few moments Bellerus made his appear- 
ance. 

How } Back so soon ?” cried the artisan, as he be- 
held the youth. 

Hush ! Speak not so loudly here,” quickly returned 
Aleric, gliding into the narrow hall. ‘‘ I have come 
back with a thousand times more danger at my heels 
than I had when I left. Let us seek your closet, and 
there I will tell you more.” 

Without further question the old man led the way to 
an inner apartment, where lanthe speedily joined them. 
She had not been able to sleep, and the first sound of 
her lover’s voice had brought her from her chamber. 
She hastened to his side, and looking up into his face 
she murmured : 

‘‘ Thou wilt not think it unseemly that I should be 
thus forward 1 but O, my beloved ! when they took thee 
away I was vSore afraid, for full well I knew the cruelty 
of him who had sent for thee. O, after so many years: — 
when our love was just beaming into full light — it would 
have been — but thou art pale, my beloved. Thy hand 
trembles. Is there danger still ? O, tell me! ” 

“ Sweet one,” cried the youth, pressing the fond maiden 
to his bosom, and then gently putting her away into a 
seat, I will tell thee all, and then we can consider. 
But I must be brief, and we must be cool and deliberate 
when I am done.” 

And thereupon Aleric related the adventures which 
had befallen him since he went to the royal palace. He 
told the story in as few words as possible, but he told it 
all, just as it had happened. 

‘‘And now,” he added, when it was done, taking 
lanthe by the hand, “ surely there can be no more 
safety for me here. Will it not be better for us to leave 
Sicily forever 


56 


Alaric, 


“ Yes, yes,’' cried the maiden, throwing her arm about 
his neck. We will go, and my father shall go with 

We can find a bright and peaceful home upon the 
shores of Greece. In Corinth there is a sweet vale, 
where the sun is bright, and where the flowers live 
through all the year. My ambition is all of love, and 
thou art my chiefest hope. I have seen enough of 
turmoil in my day, and I love it not.” 

But suppose you could be king of Sicily ?” said 
Bellerus, in a light, jesting tone — a tone so totally out 
of place on the occasion that even he noticed it as soon 
as he had spoken, and quickly added, ‘‘ would you not 
wear the sword for the good of your country 

Aye, most gladly,” replied the youth. But, alas ! 
I have not the power. If my unhappy country is ever 
freed from the yoke of bondage she now bears, it must 
be by the hand of some more favored child of fortune. 
You will go with us, father ?” 

The old man gazed from Alaric to the maiden but he 
made no reply. 

I know he will go,” said lanthe. He loves me, and 
would not see me miserable. Wherever thou goest, 
Alaric, I will go ; and where thy home is, there shall 
lanthe find her abiding-place. Even upon the 
verge of Elysium, I would cling to thee, if thou couldst 
not enter the blessed abode. I know my father will go.” 

Bellerus arose from his seat and started across the 
room. He was in deep perplexity, and his head was 
bowed in thought. 

“Alaric,” he said, stopping aud placing his hand 
upon the youth’s shoulder, “ we must speak of this at 
some other time. We could not leave the city to-night 
if we would.” 

“ And why not ?” asked our hero. “ Why not pass 


One is Saved. 


57 


out at once, before any alarm has been given of iny 
escape V' 

Ah ! there will be no alarm given at all,” returned 
the old man, with a shake of the head. “Our king is 
not fond of creating alarms, he does not consider it 
good policy. His first movement, upon learning of 
your escape, will be to send an order to every gate for- 
bidding any one to pass out. That may have been 
done even now, so that to attempt to leave the city 
would only be to rush upon the surest danger.” 

“ You may be right,” admitted Alaric upon reflection. 

“ I know I am right. And now, the next thing is to 
find a place of present safety which cannot be here, of 
course. Yet I can Conduct you to a place where 
Pyrrho and all his myrmidons shall search in vain for 
you ; and when you are once there, we can then make 
such arrangements for the future as circumstances may 
warrant. And the sooner we seek such a retreat the 
better. lanthe will be safe here until I return.” 

“But why may I not go with him?” pleaded the 
maiden. 

“ That cannot be. It is no ordinary hiding-place to 
which I shall take him, and thou couldst not gain 
entrance, even though a friendship greater than mine 
asked it for thee. But I will not be long gone, and 
when I return thou wilt have the satisfaction of know- 
ing that Alaric is safe.” 

lanthe quickly saw that she might stand in the way 
of her lover’s escape if she resisted further, so she bade 
her father make all possible haste. Then she 
turned to Alaric, and rested upon his bosom for a few 
moments. She finally kissed him, and tried to appear 
cheerful as she turned away. 

“ Bar the door when we are gone,” said Bellerus, 
“ and should any one chance to come, tell them I 


58 


A laric. 


shall return very shortly. If you are asked whither 
I am gone, say that you do not know.’' 

‘‘ But suppose the king’s soldiers should come, and 
ask if Alaric has been here ?” 

Then tell them boldly that he has, and that he 
went away again. They can guard the house until I 
return, and then search if they wish. But I will not 
give them much time for troubling you.” 

Had the old artisan thought less of Alaric, he might 
have thought more of Ian the, and taken some different 
step, though he could then think of nothing which he 
could do for her additional safety. He must go with 
the youth — that was a plain duty — and he could not 
take her with him ; so what has he to do but to leave 
her ? However, he did not apprehend danger on that 
score, so he turned all his thoughts upon our hero. He 
heard the outer door barred behind him, and then he 
stepped quickly into the street, followed closely by the 
fugitive from royal vengeance. 

‘‘ Now,” said Bellerus, as they turned from the dwell- 
ing, ‘‘ we must hasten with all due speed, for I would 
return before the soldiers, if any be sent, can reach my 
house. We have not far to go.” 

“ But you do not think lanthe can be in any danger ?” 
returned Alaric, uneasily. 

“ No, I do not. If the guard should chance to come 
they would wait until I returned, for I do not mean to 
be long gone. Be under no apprehension on her 
account. If we can provide for your safety we shall 
accomplish enough.” 

They had reached a point where the street branched 
off to the right and left, the first branch leading in 
a circular way towards one of the main gates, while 
the other was narrower, and soon became lost in cir- 
cuitous, dubious passages. The former was the nearest 


One is Saved, 


59 


and the old man took it, keeping well under the 
shade of the buildings, and moving along at a swift 
pace. Presently they came to an open square, within 
which was a public fountain, and here they found 
the moonbeams breaking in upon them. It was past 
midnight, and the moon, which was waning in size, 
had just arisen above the walls. 

This will make it lighter than I could wish,'’ said 
Bellerus, “ but we’ll push on.” 

He had hardly spoken when quick, loud footsteps 
were heard upon the pavements at no great distance. 
They stopped, as if by a mutual instinct, and listened. 

Which way are they coming ?” asked Alaric. 

“ I think from yonder avenue,” replied Bellerus, 
pointing to the left. 

It sounds to me differently,” said the youth. 

Surely, they are off here,” pointing to the right. 

So they listened again. 

‘‘ It is the echo deceives you,” remarked the mason, 
bending his ear to the ground. 

‘‘ It may be,” admitted Alaric, ‘‘ for, to tell the truth, 
I cannot now assure myself. First they sound in this 
direction and then in that.” 

I think they are to the left,” added Bellerus, with 
assurance, so we had better keep on. We have but a 
few steps to go beyond the square.” 

With this the two friends pursued their way with 
a quicker step. They had crossed the open place, 
and were upon the point of turning into a street which 
led off towards the great northern tower of the city 
wall, when they stopped again, for the echoing foot- 
steps were now plainly enough to be heard directly 
ahead of them. 

If these are soldiers, we are in the lion’s mouth,” 
said Bellerus. 


6o 


Ala7nc, 


Let us keep on,” returned Alaric. It may be 
worse if we turn back.” 

We cannot well turn back.” 

They were just starting to cross the street when they 
were met by the king’s lieutenant, Fingal, with a guard 
of three men. It was too late to avoid them, and they 
moved on as if nothing had happened to disconcert 
them. 

Hold !” ordered the officer. 

“ What shall we do ?” whispered the old artisan, stop- 
ping, and turning to his companion. 

‘‘ Are they after me, think you ?” the youth asked. 

“ They must be. That is Fingal, one of the lieuten- 
ants of the royal guard. He is after some one, or he 
would not be here with those men.” 

“ I shall defend myself to the last,” said Alaric. 

An arrest is sure death to me. I will die here first. 
You have no arm§ ?’’ 

None.” 

“ Then leave them to me. If I fall — ” 

“ But,” interrupted the old man, ‘‘ let me consider.” 

What time have we for that ? See !” 

As our hero spoke, the lieutenant had advanced with 
his men, and now stood only a few feet off. The 
moonlight lay full upon the place, and the two parties 
had no difficulty in distinguishing outlines plainly. 

“ Thou art Bellerus,” the officer said, gazing sharply 
upon the old man. 

I am,” replied the latter. He trembled as he spoke, 
for he began to realize the full force of the position in 
which he was placed. Alaric noticed the quivering of 
his frame ; and, though the lieutenant had addressed 
him, yet he paid no attention to it but determined first 
to speak with his friend. So he glided close to Bellerus’ 
side^ and whispered in his ear ; 


One is Saved, 


6i 


Speak, answer me truly ! For your own sake, 
would you have me deliver myself up without resist- 
ance ?” 

No I no !” replied the artisan, with sudden energy. 

I am as nothing. Thou art all here. Thy fate alone 
hangs upon the issue of this meeting.'' 

Enough !" cried Alaric. And then he turned 
towards the officer. 

Art thou deaf and dumb ?" shouted the latter in a 
tone of vexation. 

“No. I can hear very plainly," returned the youth, 
“and you see that I can speak." 

“ Then why do you not answer me? I asked thee if 
thou wert not Alaric." 

“ No matter who or what I am." 

“ Aye, but it does matter, for I think thou art one 
whom I seek. Thou canst not hide thy face, if thy 
name is denied." 

“ I never denied my name, sir. I only doubt your 
right to question me." 

“ So, so," muttered Fingal, drawing his sword, and 
taking a step forward. “ Let me tell thee that I have 
authority and power, and that I have come to arrest 
thee. You will suffer yourself to be bound by these 
men, and you shall then know my further pleasure." 

At this the three soldiers advanced, but Alaric stepped 
back, and put forth his hand. They stopped at the 
motion, for there was an air of command in it which 
they instinctively recognized. 

“ Allow me to speak one word," the youth said. “ I 
wish to be quiet and peaceable ; and I shall be so if 
you pass on and leave me to myself. I mean no harm 
to any living thing, nor will I suffer harm to myself if 
I can help it. You, sir, know that I have been once to 
the royal palace/' 


62 


A laric. 


“ Aye, and I know the met? ' of thy escape,” replied 
Fingal. 

‘^Then thou knowest for what thy master wants me 
now. Say, dost thou not ?” 

I can imagine, as thou canst.” 

‘‘ And think ye I will go willingly to the shambles ? 
Thou knowest the tyrant seeks me only that he may 
take my life. Now I tell thee, sir lieutenant, that, if I 
am permitted, I will go in peace from Sicily ; but I will 
not willingly lay my head beneath the executioner’s 
sword. If thou hast the heart to do a right thing, let 
me go.” 

Fool !” cried the officer. ‘‘ Dost think I am a child 
to do my duty thus ?” 

“ No, I thought thou mightst be a man, and as such I 
addressed thee.” 

I am a man, and an officer ; and as an officer I must 
do my duty. I trust that we shall not be called upon 
to use force.” 

I trust thou will not attempt it,” returned our hero, 
at the same drawing forth the heavy executioner’s 
sword which had been concealed beneath his frock. 

How !” exclaimed the lieutenant, in surprise, as he 
saw this movement. Would ye offer resistance to the 
king's guard T 

Ye know what I did to the king’s executioners,” 
was the quick reply. ‘‘ If I go to the palace I go to die. 
I prefer to die here. But, beware — for by the gods, I 
shall give thee hot work, and plenty of it.” 

Fingal had been too long a soldier, and had performed 
too often the duties of his present office, to hesitate 
before a single arm. He turned to his men, and ordered 
them them to arrest the youth. 

‘‘ Come thou first,” cried Alaric. 

'' By the Furies, I will !” eturned the lieutenant. And 


One is Saved, 


63 


as he spoke he rushed upon Alaric, and aimed a furious 
blow at his head. The youth was almost sorry for the 
opportunity thus offered him, for he could not refuse 
the advantage, and yet it seemed a cruel work to take 
life so easily. He only stepped aside from the mad 
blow, and, at the same time, drove his sword home 
beneath his opponent’s left arm. Fingal staggered 
back and fell as he was shaken off, and at this moment 
the three soldiers set upon the youth in a body. 

‘‘ By the Lost Word !” muttered Bellerus to himself, 
this must not be. If we leave none of these fellows 
to tell the tale of their death, the king may find out the 
doers as best he can. The boy must not die !” 

He seized the sword of the fallen officer while he 
spoke, and on the next instant he was at work. He 
handled the weapon as one who knew its use, and he 
brought to its service a set of thews and sinews of more 
than ordinary power. At the first sweep he clove a head 
in twain, and the remaining soldier turned half way, as 
though he would flee ; but he was not to get away so 
easily. The stout craftsman had gone into the work 
upon compulsion and he meant not that one should 
escape to condemn him ; so he sprang upon the turning 
soldier, and, with one blow, laid him upon the pave- 
ment. 

I think the work is done,” he said, throwing the bloody 
sword which he had used down by the side of its right- 
ful owner ; ‘‘ and now let us make all haste. I think 
these were not all the guards who were sent out, and I 
would get back to my house before any reach there.” 

“ I am ready,” replied Alaric, returning his own 
sword to its sheath. ‘‘ We may leave these fellows with- 
out fear, for they can tell no tales.” 

Of course, they are all dead,” added Bellerus, hesi- 
tatingly. 


64 


Alarzc. 


“ It will take but a moment to see.” 

An examination was held, and the four men were 
found to be utterly dead ; and then the artisan started 
up and moved quickly on his way. Ere long he reached 
the paved court of a magnificent structure, before which 
he stopped. 

This is the Temple of Diana,” said Alaric, gazing up 
at the white columns. 

“ I know it,” was the laconic reply. 

But you do not stop here ?” 

‘‘ Be surprised at nothing you may now see. Follow 
me, and fear no danger.” 

Thus speaking, Bellerus led the way to the inner 
colonnade, thence across the ground-floor of the temple, 
and when he stopped it was within a closed apartment, 
from which all light was excluded. 

Alaric,” spoke the old craftsman, in a deep, solemn 
tone, at the same time taking the youth by the arm, 
“ I am about to stake my own life for your honor and 
secrecy; and before I do so I will ask one simple 
pledge from you in return : You must never allow a 
word to escape your lips of your having been within 
this temple. Will you, if necessary, give up your ov/n 
life rather than have the secret drawn from you ?” 

I will,” answered Alaric ; and he shuddered with a 
strange awe as he spoke, for there came to him a 
memory of some mystic tie that had bound his father to 
the humble craftsmen of the city ; and he now remem- 
bered that four stout hewers of stone had borne him 
from the scene of blood on the fatal night when his 
kindred were slain. 

‘‘It is well,” responded Bellerus. “You must now 
suffer me to blindfold you, for such are our laws. I 
will remain with you while you are in darkness.” 

Alaric offered not a word in objection. The thought 


One is Saved. 


65 


that his humble friend could enter the great temple of 
Diana, and be master of its mysteries, so filled his mind 
with wonder that he hesitated not to trust his further 
power. The old man bound a scarf firmly over his 
eyes, and then led him on. The youth knew that he 
passed through large halls, and through winding pas- 
sages ; and ever and anon they were stopped by senti- 
nels, with whom Bellerus whispered a few hurried 
sentences, and then passed on. Finally, their way was 
down — down long, winding steps — then across a 
smoothly paved floor, and at length they stopped, and 
the bandage was removed from Alaric’s eyes. He 
found himself in a vaulted chamber, the roof supported 
by pillars of the purest marble ; the walls composed of 
porphyry, jasper and epidote, while the floor was of a 
curious mosaic pavement, surrounded by a tesselated 
border of great beauty. Comfortable divans were placed 
by some of the columns, and upon one side was a marble 
table, or altar, upon which were various kinds of 
refreshments. 

Here thou wilt be safe,” said Bellerus, “ and here 
thou wilt remain until I see thee again. Ere long a 
brother will wait upon thee, and assist thee as thou 
mayest need. All that is strange shall be explained 
upon some fitting opportunity. At present thou canst 
find relief in the thought that thou art safe. I must 
now hasten away, for Ian the must not be in danger.” 

‘‘ Aye, go to her at once,” replied Alaric. I shall 
trust myself here with perfect confidence.” 

“ Then fare thee well, fare thee well for the present. 
Thou wilt not be long alone.” 

And with this, Bellerus turned away and left the 
apartment. He opened and closed many doors, and 
passed through many strange places ; and he met 
armed men at certain points, but a simple word and sign 


66 


A laric. 


served him for a passport. Finally, he gained the street 
in the rear of the temple, and at once hurried on 
towards his house. He reached it, and found the door 
of the vestibule open. He entered, and called lanthe, 
but he received no answer. He procured a light, and 
hastened to the maiden’s apartments, but she was not 
there. Thus he went all over the house, and he knew 
that he was alone beneath the roof. 

God!” he cried, sinking, down upon a stool, 
and covering his face with his hands, ‘‘ if she has 
fallen into the hands of the king, woe is me I And if 
he reads the story, which I fear her features too plainly 
tell, woe is to us all I” 

The old man fairly staggered as he arose to his feet, 
so great was the weight of fear and. terror which had 
come upon him. 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE KING HAS A STARTLING REVELATION. 

When lanthe was left alone she barred the door, and 
returned to the apartment where she had met her lover. 
At first she was under no apprehension, but as she sat 
there alone, in the depth of the night, strange thoughts 
came to her mind, and unpleasant phantoms began to 
flit before her imagination. Love is a powerful agent 
towards giving to the soul unrest. It quickens all the 
emotions, and, if fears have been lurking in hidden 
places, its penetrating beams will most surely drive 
them out, either to dispose of them forever, or to give 
them new power and strength. The maiden had long 


A Startling Revelation. 


67 


known that there was some mystery connected with, and 
enveloping, her life-story. She knew that Bellerus had 
some potent reason for keeping her secluded, and that 
it was all for her own welfare. She had often pondered 
upon the subject, and as often given it up, and given it 
up, too, without vexation ; for she was assured that 
nothing was hidden from her that could benefit her in 
the knowing of it. But now she wished she knew more. 
The danger which threatened Alaric might have some 
mystic relation to herself — she felt sure of it — she had 
heard enough so satisfy her on that point. And so, as 
her heart had been raised to bright hopes by the beam- 
ing of the renewed and quickened love upon it, did it 
sink, as she sat alone in the dreary midnight, and dwelt 
upon the unseen dangers that hovered about her. 

The minutes passed away — she watched the hour- 
glass and the sands were running down swiftly — and 
yet she was alone. A daik spell was upon her — a spell 
of doubt and gloom — which had come unbidden, and 
which she could not drive off. She tried to think of 
Alaric as safe, and that he would soon take her away to 
a peaceful, happy home of his own, but with every forced 
thought the phantom would come in, and when she 
might have felt a joy in the calling up of a picture such 
as Hope would paint in the future, the emotion grew 
faint at its birth, and the unwelcome fear came instead. 

And had she not cause for fear ? Had not her father, 
Bellerus, taught her that it was not safe for her to 
mingle in society, as other maidens of her age did ? Had 
he not always been fearful of her himself, and even 
trembled with apprehension upon the most trivial occa- 
sions ? Had he not always shaken his head mysteriously 
when she would ask him why he feared thus, and simply 
answered that he could not tell ? And had he not 
always, when forced to speak of her marriage, treated 


68 


Alartc. 


the subject as though something more than life or 
death might hang upon it ? He had done all this, and 
he had done more. He had vaguely shadowed forth 
the idea that in her very birth a life of danger and 
trouble became her inheritance. 

And so the fear-phantoms gathered about her. 
Darkly they settled down upon her soul, till the last ray 
of light was shut out, and the last hope fainted away. 

At length there came the sound of heavy feet echoing 
through the house, and lanthe started up from her seat. 
Presently a loud knock was given upon the door, and 
she went into the vestibule. 

Who is there !” she asked, hoping that it might be 
her father, but yet dreading to hear the answer. 

The royal guard!’* was the response. ‘‘Open the 
door and admit us !” 

“ But my father will return very soon, and then he 
will admit you.** 

“A plague upon thy father ! We come in the king*s 
name, and demand immediate entrance to this house !’* 

“ But in a few moments he will come.** 

“ And in a few moments we will pull these old walls 
down about thine ears. By the sacred altar of Diana, 
thouhadst better open quickly !” 

“ What seek ye ?’* asked the maiden, trembling at 
every joint. 

“We seek to search the house. But we want no more 
words. Open, or we break our way in, and then the 
worse fate may be thine !’* 

A thundering blow upon the door with what appeared 
to be a large stone, brought lanthe to a decision. She 
saw that they would quickly force their way in, so she 
removed the bar, and gave them entrance, and, as they 
came in, she retreated to the inner apartment, whither 


A Startling Revelation. 


69 


she was quickly followed by four stout soldiers, one of 
them being an officer of low degree/' 

Are you alone in the house ?*' asked the leader of 
the party, after he had cast his eyes about the place. 

I am,” replied lanthe. 

Has not a youth named Alaric been here ?” 

The maiden hesitated, but she remembered the words 
of her father and answered : 

He has been here, but is now gone.” 

Ha ! and whither went he ?” 

“ I do not know.” 

Lie not to us !” 

I tell thee, I know not.” 

How long since he went ?” 

Not many minutes — not half an hour.” 

‘‘ And he will return here ?” 

'^No. He fled from here because he knew there 
would be danger here.” 

By the tongue of Echo, but thou art seeming honest 
in thy speech,” said the officer gazing into her face. 

“ I tell the truth, sir.” 

’Twould be a pity if such marvelous beauty as thine 
were tainted by falsehood. But we’ll search the house, 
nevertheless.” 

Another lamp was procured, and while one of the 
soldiers was left to keep watch upon the maiden, the 
other three started off to look over the dwelling. They 
ransacked every hole and corner they could find, but 
met with nothing to reward them for their trouble, and 
finally they returned to the apartment where they had 
left their companion. 

‘‘We can do no more,” said the leader. “We must 
take the girl along, and let the lieutenant do the rest.” 

“ But you will not take me,” cried lanthe, in alarm. 

“ Wq must, beauty, so don’t fret about it,” 


70 


A laric. 


The maiden plead and prayed, but all to no purpose. 
The soldiers had come with their orders, and they 
knew nothing beyond them. She might as well have 
urged reason upon the tempest. When she found that 
she must go, she procured a light silken mantle, which 
she threw over her head, and then informed the men 
that she was ready. The lights were extinguished, and 
the officer then led the way from the house, taking the 
fair prisoner under his own charge. 

If I an the had been oppressed with fear before, she 
w^as much more oppressed now, for the phantoms began 
to take more tangible shape. The thought of seeing 
the king filled her with terror, though she could give to 
herself no clear reason why it vShould be so. She only 
knew that she had always held a deep dread of the 
monarch, and that Bellerus had never sought to divest 
her of it, but that he had rather helped her to retain the 
emotion. However, she could not now turn aside from 
her fate, and she strove to compose herself so that no 
perturbation of her own should work against her. 

The officer was as respectful as one so rough and 
hardened could be, and lanthe was conducted along 
through the still, dark, deserted streets in silence, till they 
reached the royal palace. 

The king had not yet retired. He and his chamber- 
lain had been conversing upon the events of the past 
and the present, and a fear of gigantic proportions had 
entered their minds, though they hoped, by summary 
proceedings, to meet whatever danger might come, and 
put it successfully down. Yet they could not sleep 
until they had heard from the escaped prisoner, for 
upon him rested a wondrous degree of importance. 

Pyrrho was leaning back in his seat, with his eyes 
closed, when a page entered and informed him that a 


A Startling Revelation, yi 


party of soldiers had returned from their mission, and 
that their leader desired admittance. 

Is it Fingal?” demanded the king, starting up 

No, sire. It is an under officer.” 

Admit him.” 

The page withdrew, and presently the soldier came 
in. 

“ How now, guardsman — what news bring ye?” 

“ I, in company with three others, have been to the 
house of Bellerus, the craftsman, but we found not the 
prisoner there, nor any male inhabitant.” 

‘‘ And where is my lieutenant ?” 

“ He went in another direction, sire. He thought it 
very probable that the prisoner, even if he had been 
at Bellerus’ house, would not remain there, so he sent 
us on, while . he, with three of his best men, took 
another route, by which he hoped he might cut the 
fugitive off if he were attempting to escape towards 
the gate of the temple.” 

“ It was a good thought. And you have not seen him 
since ?” 

No, sire. But I found a maiden at the house of 
Bellerus — she was the sole occupant — and I have 
brought her with me.” 

Ha ! Is she beautiful ?” cried Pyrrho. 

The most beautiful female I ever saw,” answered 
the soldier with enthusiasm. 

Then we have the lady of Alaric’s love. Bring her 
hither at once.” 

The man withdrew, and the monarch turned to his 
chamberlain. 

Now, Donatus, we shall see this rare flower which 
the old craftsman has kept hidden so long, and if there 
be any mystery about her, we will have it solved.” 


72 


Alaric. 


cannot imagine what, mystery there can be,” 
returned the chamberlain. But — here she comes.” 

At that moment lanthe was led into the room, and jhe 
stood before the monarch with her head bowed, and the 
light mantle shading her face. Pyrrho gazed with 
eager admiration upon the faultless form, and he 
watched her motions with the eye of one who had some 
judgment upon the external points of female beauty. 

“ What is thy name ?” he asked, as she stopped before 
him. 

lanthe,” she answered, in a low, tremulous voice, 
but not more tremulous than might have been the 
voice of any maiden who found herself for the first 
time in the presence of royalty. 

“ Art thou the daughter of Bellerus ?” 

I am, sire.” 

“ And thou knowest the youth, Alaric 1 

I do, sire.” 

‘‘ And dost know where he is now ?” 

‘‘ I do not” 

‘‘ Beware, maiden. We have means of knowing the 
truth.” 

“ I have spoken only the truth, sire.” 

“ Where is thy father ?” 

I know not.” 

‘‘ Sire,'” spoke the officer who had brought her, “ she 
confessed to me that her father had gone away with 
this Alaric.” 

“ Ha ! Is this so, maiden ?” 

It is.” 

“And yet thou saidst thou had no knowledge of 
where Alaric might be.” 

“ Nor have I, sire. Whither they went I know not. 
They would neither allow me to accompany them, nor 
to know their destination.” 


A Startling Revelation. 


73 


‘‘ Show me thy face, and let me judge whether thou 
speakest the truth.” 

lanthe raised her head, and as the mantle fell back, 
the beams from one of the clusters of lamps shone upon 
her. The king gazed into her beautiful features, and an 
exclamation of surprise broke from his lips ; but his 
admiration of her loveliness was quickly overcome by 
another emotion. As he continued to gaze a sudden 
start was perceptible in his frame ; and, after a moment 
of seeming doubt, he turned pale as death. 

Didst say thou wert the craftsman’s daughter ?” he 
whispered, as though the questions were forced invol- 
untarily from him. 

I said so,” replied the maiden, trembling as she 
spoke. 

At this point Donatus, who had seen the strange per- 
turbation of his master^ ordered the soldier to retire ; 
and then he moved to where he could gain a fair view 
of lanthe’s features. He looked upon them, and in a 
moment he, too, became moved by an unaccountable 
tremor. The king composed himself as quickly as he 
could, and then touched a silken rope that hung near 
him, upon which a black eunuch entered the apartment. 

Mestor,” said the monarch, addressing the sable 
attendant, who was a gigantic fellow, ‘‘ take this maiden 
to the women’s quarters, and be thou answerable for her 
safety with thy life.” Then, turning to lanthe, he 
added : 

Until I can see thy father I shall detain thee here ; 
but fear not, for thou shalt be well cared for.” 

“ Sire,” cried the frightened girl, as the gigantic 
eunuch approached her, I have done no wrong ! Oh, 
let me return to my home !” 

It may not be, lady. But I have assured thee that 
thou shalt be set free as soon as I have seen thy father.” 


74 


Alaric. 


‘‘ And will you do no harm to him ? Oh, king, he has 
meant no evil/' 

“ I will not harm a hair of his head. Let this assur- 
ance give thee comfort." 

While speaking, Pyrrho had beckoned to Mestor, and 
as the latter approached him he whispered : 

“No living soul is to see her until I see thee again !" 
Then he added, in a louder key : “ Conduct her to an 

apartment fitting the guest of a king." 

lanthe shrank away with a fearful shudder as the 
black approached her, for she saw that he was of stern 
aspect, and of terrible look ; but she dared not resist, 
nor would she make another appeal to the king, so she 
suffered herself to be led from the apartment. 

“ Now by the gods !" cried the king, leaping down 
from his throne, and striding across the floor, “ I see the 
solution of this volcanic problem. Donatus, didst see 
her face ?" 

“ Aye, sire." 

“ And did you ever see one like it before ?** 

“ Yes — most assuredly." 

“Years ago ?" 

“Yes." 

“ And did you think the lion had left a whelp 
behind ?" 

“ I have always mistrusted that such might be the 
case, sire." 

“ Then why have you not told me so T 

“ Because I was not sure, and I would not burden 
thee with needless alarm. But I am sure now. Were 
Jupiter himself to tell me this maiden was the child of 
that man, I should feel no more sure than I do now." 

“ Nor should I," responded the king. “ I knew her 
the moment I gazed into her face. Aha ! I was safe 
enough in promising that her father should not be# 


75 


A Startling Revelation. 


injured. But we can see something of the danger which 
has been over us. Ye gods ! it is surpassing strange 
that she could have been kept so long in our city, and 
yet kept so safel}^’. That Bellerus is a shrewd fellow. 
But, thank the kind powers that sustain me, we have 
her safe enough now.'' 

Pyrrho took another turn across the room, and then 
added, with a sudden clap of the hands : 

“ Can you realize all the importance of this occur- 
rence?" 

‘‘ What mean you, sire ?" 

“ I mean, do you fully comprehend what a wondrous 
fortune has befallen us in the finding of this maiden ?" 

‘‘ Aye, most surely I do, sire. Of course you will keep 
her close, now that she is in your power." 

Keep her close ! By the scepter of Sicily, I think I 
will ! She shall not live to see another sun ! I should 
feel my throne on a foundation of quicksand while she 
lived." 

“ Sire," spoke the chamberlain, after a few moments' 
reflection, perhaps, upon consideration, thou mightst 
find another fate for her." 

‘‘ Ha !" 

Do you not think so, sire ?" 

“ Speak plainly." 

Make her thine ! Give to her all thou fearest others 
might claim for her, and yet keep thy scepter." 

“ By the life within me, Donatus, but thou dost give 
me a new thought. I'll think of that. Ha ! who comes 
here ?" 

It was Hippon, entering in haste. 

“ Sire," he cried, “ the very Fates and Furies are sent 
down upon Syracuse !" 

What is it, Hippon ? Out with it. We are prepared 
for wondrous things now." 


76 


Alaric. 


Thy lieutenant, Fingal, with three of his best men is 
slain 

‘^How? Where r 

At the entrance of the street of Diana’s fountain.” 

And the three men slain, too ?” 

‘‘ Yes, sire.” 

“ All dead ?” 

Yes.” 

“ And who has done it ?” 

“ Must it not have been Alaric ?” 

“ Now, by the overtopping heavens!” exclaimed the 
monarch clasping his hands together, and starting across 
the floor, this is exceeding all belief ! Nothing has 
been found of the youth ?” 

‘‘ No, sire.” 

And thus must a king submit ! But it shall not be 
for long ! Hippon, send my captain hither.” 

In a few moments the captain made his appearance. 

“Claudian,” spoke the monarch, “upon thy life I 
charge thee, bring me that youth Alaric. Thou hast 
men enough to cover the city ; and thou shouldst have 
wit enough to find anything that breathes upon the 
island. Go find him, and bring him to me, dead or 
alive. All power is thine. Now go.” 

When the captain was gone the monarch turned^to 
his chamberlain. 

“ One bird is caged. Let Claudian capture another. 
And now for this craftsman, Bellerus. I’ll have him in 
a way of my own. Breathe not a word of the suspicion 
we hold against him.” 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE tyrant's vault. 

On the morning following the events last recorded, 
the king rose from a tinrefreshing slumber, and called 
his captain to him in his closet. Claudian had not yet 
slept, but had been at work without ceasing. Pyrrho 
wished to know how the matter stood concerning the 
youth, Alaric. 

“ I have satisfied myself upon two points,’' said the 
captain, in his report, “ First — Alaric has not left the 
city ; of this I am sure. He is within our walls some- 
where. Second — His presence is not known in any 
quarter. I think the old artisan, Bellerus, and perhaps 
one or two of his immediate companions, alone know 
that he has been in Sicily since he fled, eight years ago. 
I have placed four hundred soldiers upon the watch. 
Every avenue in the city is under strict oversight, and 
he cannot make his appearance in a public street with- 
out being immediately recognized ; for I have caused 
my men to be so arranged that each one is placed in 
that quarter where he knows all the inhabitants ; so 
that a stranger, no matter of what degree, will be at 
once marked and overhauled. Thus no amount of dis- 
guise can save him from the Arguses I have set upon 
the watch, if he venture forth." 


[77] 


78 


Alarzc. 


*‘So far so good/’ returned the king, thoughtfully. 

But have you set any guard upon the passes without 
the city ?” 

‘*No, sire. I had not thought it necessary.” 

“ If you deem that any precaution within your power 
Is unnecessary, then you do not comprehend the full 
risk we have at stake. Let every road and path and 
hedge upon the coast and towards the mountains be 
also guarded. Do you understand ?” 

Yes, sire.” 

“ For,” pursued the king, “ there is no knowing what 
may happen. You feel sure that the fugitive cannot 
leave the city. Suppose I had told you that he could 
have left my dungeon, all unarmed, while three bold 
executioners stood before him with drawn swords in 
their powerful grasps, you would have smiled at my 
folly. Yet he did it. And see how he has met stout 
Fingal and his stalwart men. I tell thee every possible 
thing must be done. Thou wilt see that trusty men 
are sent off without the city at once.” 

Yes, sire.” 

“ And now, captain, I wish to ask thee concerning 
one other matter : I have heard that in Egypt, in Ath- 
ens, and in Jerusalem of Judea, there are certain crafts- 
men who are bound to each other by mystic ties. They 
are mostly the workmen in various departments of 
architecture, but artisans, and cunning artificers of all 
degrees, are eligible to the fraternity. Hast ever heard 
of such a thing?” 

‘‘ Yes, sire.” 

‘‘ And have you ever heard the object of such an 
organization ?” 

Aye ! I have been told that it was for the purpose of 
preserving their art, and saving to themselves the 


The Tyrant's Vault, 


79 


advantages of their discoveries and improvements ; and 
also for mutual relief and protection.’* 

And do you imagine that such a mystic fraternity 
has an existence in our city ?” 

Claudian was startled by the question. 

“ It may have,” he said. 

“ Have you ever noticed anything that could lead 
your suspicions in that direction V 

“Nothing, sire. I only judge from reason. Many of 
the leading architects of our city are from far-off 
countries, and many of those who are native here have 
travelled in the East ; so that it would not be strange if 
they had brought hither with them the mysteries of 
which you speak.’* 

“ Keep your eyes open, Claudian, and if we can find 
such a thing it shall be rooted out at once. And now I 
bid you attend well to the business I have given to your 
charge.** 

The captain bowed and withdrew, and the king then 
sent for one of his messengers, who soon made his 
appearance. 

“ Do you know where the mason called Bellerus 
lives ?’* the monarch asked. 

“Yes, sire.** 

“ Then go to him, and bid him come hither. Say to 
him that the king would see him on a matter of business 
connected with the craft.** 

The messenger went away, and found the old artisan 
alone in his house. He gave to him the royal message, 
and without hesitation Bellerus arose to obey. He 
seemed to be laboring under some weighty affair of the 
mind, but there was a stern resolution apparent in his 
movements. He accompanied the messenger to the 
palace, and was at once admitted to the royal presence. 

Pyrrho gazed sharply into the bronzed features of the 


8o 


Alaric. 


craftsman, and turning to his chamberlain, he remarked 
in an undertone : 

“ There's bold, hard stuff in that fellow." 

“ Aye, sire, and there be many more like him in our 
city." 

“ Thy name is Bellerus ?" returned the king, turning 
to his visitor. 

“ It is, sire." 

“ And thou art master of thy craft ?" 

‘‘ I am an experienced mason." 

“ So I have heard ; and I have sent for thee to have 
thee perform for me a piece of work in thy line. Canst 
thou do it ?" 

‘‘ First, sire," returned Bellerus, with a slight twitch- 
ing of the muscles of his face, I would ask thee if my 
child, lanthe, is in this palace ?" 

She is, good Bellerus ; and she is perfectly safe," 
answered the king, with great seeming frankness. I 
sent my guard last night after a prisoner who had 
escaped, and hearing that he had been at thy house, 
thither I sent. But he was not found there, and the 
maiden was alone. She said that the prisoner had been 
there, so my officer took the liberty to bring her away 
that I might question her. I should have sent her back 
to her home this morning, but I had determined to 
employ thee in the work of which I have spoken, so I 
thought she would be better here until you were ready 
to return home with her. She shall have every atten- 
tion and comfort." 

'^Do you mean that I shall remain here until my 
work is finished ?" the mason asked. 

“ Yes. I wish it done as soon as possible. I will show 
it to you, and then you can employ such help as you 
may judge you will need." 


The Tyrant's Vault, 


8i 


If I remain here until the work is finished I may see 
my child during the intervals of refreshment V 
“ Certainly/^ 

‘‘ Then I will perform the task if I can/* 

The king bade the old craftsman to follow him ; and 
then he led the way out from the throne-room, through 
a winding passage — then through several smaller apart- 
ments, to his private bath. Beyond here was a closet, 
which seemed to be in an angle of the structure, and 
within the base of one of the high towers. The ceiling 
was arched, and elaborately sculptured ; the walls were 
of cinnamon-stone, very highly polished ; and the fioor 
was a fine Mosaic pavement, with the representation of 
a chariot-race cleverly wrought out by the proper 
arrangement of the various colored bits of stone. But 
this fioor was not whole. Near the centre was an aper- 
ture, some ten feet in diameter, which presented to the 
eye a seemingly bottomless pit. There was no finish 
about the edge, save a skirting of marble, flush with the 
floor ; but the brink was abrupt, and only guarded by 
a few boards which had been thrown across. 

What think ye this hole was made for ?” asked the 
king. 

Bellerus gazed down into the broad pit, but he could 
only see a fathomless depth of gloom. 

“ I have no means of knowing,’* he answered. ‘‘ This 
part of the palace is much older than the other parts, 
and this wall was probably constructed when the high 
tower was built. I could judge better by examining 
the interior, and sounding its depths.’* 

And how can ye do that ?** 

When I have my men here I can do it easily.’* 
“Well,” pursued the king, walking around the vault, 
and gazing into its darkness, “ I have taken an odd 
fancy. You know my bath is close by ?” 


82 


Alaric. 


‘‘Yes/’ 

“ And I have thought to have this pit so tightened 
with firm, flinty cement, that it will hold water ; and 
then I will have it filled for the use of my bath.” 

“ But, sire, it would require a river to fill it to over- 
flowing.” 

“ I suppose there are men enough in Sicily to fill it, 
and keep it full ?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Then it shall be done. The king does not stop 
before any obstacle which can be surmounted. How 
many men will you want ?” 

“ I cannot tell, sire, for I know not yet the amount of 
work which must be done.” 

“ But you can ascertain ?” 

“ With the assistance of some of my fellows.” 

“ Give me their names, and I will send for them.” 

Bellerus hesitated awhile, but finally he called over 
the names of four men who should be summoned. 
They were accordingly sent for, and when they arrived 
arrangements were at once made for sounding the 
depth of the vault, the king standing by to watch the 
operation. A heavy plummet was attached to the end of 
a long line, and lowered into the pit. Down, down, 
down it went, and when it had reached the bottom 
there was found to have been let out a hundred and 
fifty cubits. 

“ It is an enormous depth,” remarked one of the 
masons. 

“ A wondrous depth,” responded the king. “ And 
now I should like to know how it is constructed. Can- 
not one of you go down ?” 

Bellerus quickly made arrangements for exploring 
the cryptic place. A lighted torch was first sent down, 
and when it had descended to a considerable distance 


83 


The Tyrant's Vault, 


there was a loud report — a concussion — as though an 
earthquake had broken beneath the palace. The king 
was sore afraid ; but when he saw that the craftsmen 
took the occurrence as a matter of course, he became 
calm. After this the torch was sent down again, and 
finally it went to the bottom burning, and as the work- 
men gazed down, it looked like a ghastly eye, or dim 
spark, in the far-off darkness. It reflected upon noth- 
ing, and revealed nothing. 

Next Bellerus suffered himself to be lowered into the 
vault by his fellows, and as he descended he found that 
the space grew larger, until its diameter was not far 
from twenty cubits. He could see that the walls were 
of solid masonry, and he had no doubt, in his own mind, 
that the dismal place has been originally built for a 
dungeon — built by some king, or lord, who found this a 
convenient way in which to send those whom he wished 
to dispose of forever. It was a long, long way to the 
bottom, and when he reached it he found it covered by 
a thick, slimy mud. When he cried out his voice was 
only as a dim echo ; and when he gazed aloft he could ' 
distinguish a small speck of dull light. But he knew that 
no human voice could reach to that place from where he 
stood, and that even a clap of thunder might not stir the 
air to such a height. He went around with his torch and 
examined the walls, and he found them all firm and 
solid, the massive rocks, all hewn and squared, being 
laid in a cement, which had become a part of the very 
stone to which it had adhered. No mortal power could 
move these stones — nor could mortal power, unaided 
from above, carve a way up from out that Tartarian 
depth. 

When Bellerus returned he reported what he had 
found, and the king could not hide the demoniac satis- 
faction that he felt at heart. 


84 


A lartc. 


‘‘ Then it will need but little work done upon the 
inside ?’' he said. 

“ I have not fully examined the wall on the way up/' 
returned the artisan. 

“ But the bottom is firm ?” 

As firm as the base of Olympus.'* 

“ Then that will answer." 

‘‘ But if there be defects on the way up, the place will 
not hold water," suggested the craftsman. 

True," returned Pyrrho. “ I had forgotten that. 
You shall look to it, and have all prepared. And then 
can you fit a marble covering to this aperture, which I 
can rise and fall at pleasure ?" 

“Yes, sire. Give us the materials, and we will fix it 
as you wish." 

The party then left the closet, and, by order of the 
king, apartments were furnished for the craftsmen in 
the palace, and the officers of the guard had strict orders 
to see that they did not leave the building. 

As soon as possible the materials were carried to the 
tower-closet, and Bellerus and his four fellows went at 
work. They rigged swinging seats, which could be 
lowered from the top, for examining the walls of the 
vault ; and from the marble which was furnished they 
fashioned a covering for the mouth, and hung it so 
nicely that one man could easily swing it up or down. 
It hung by two pivots in the center, and even a pres- 
sure of the foot would move it. When it v/as nearly 
completed the king came to see it. 

“ We shall finish it to-morrow morning,'* said Bellerus ; 
“ and when it is done you will have a reservoir which 
will hold water enough for all the fountains in Syra- 
cuse." 

“ I mean to have the most extensive bath in the 
world," cried the monarch. 


The Tyrant's Vault, 


85 


When the day's work was done the old craftsman was 
permitted to go and see lanthe, whom he found in a 
small, plainly furnished apartment, at one end of a dark 
corridor. He had seen her once before, and she had 
been quite contented after she knew that he was at work 
in the palace. 

‘‘ We must not speak too loudly," said Bellerus in alow 
tone ; ‘‘ for a guard is placed over us." 

“ A guard !" repeated the maiden in surprise. 

“Yes. A huge black eunuch is not far off. I have 
my eyes about me, and can see. However, we can talk 
without fear, if we are careful." 

“ But why are you so despondent in your tone V the 
maiden asked, gazing anxiously into his face. 

“ I am not despondent, lanthe." 

“ Yes, you are. Your voice and look are both sad 
and portentous." 

“ Well, well, it may be a spell that has come over me. 
But let me say what I have to say. Our work will be 
finished to-morrow." 

“And then we will go to our home," cried lanthe, 
hopefully. 

“ I may go, but — " 

“ But what ? Ah, father, I see that you are sad. 
You have some fear — some fear for me. Is it not so ? 
Speak." 

The old man gazed into the beautiful face beside him, 
and finally he said : 

“ I have reason to believe that you will not be suffered 
to depart when I go ; but you must not fear for the 
result. I have more power than the monarch dreams 
of, and I will surely see that you are not harmed." 

“ But," cried the frightened girl, “if you are outside 
of the palace, and I am inside, how can you help 
me ?" 


86 


Alarzc. 


‘‘ By a power I cannot explain to you. Suffice it for 
me to assure you that I can help 3"ou. If you do not 
see me again here, be not alarmed. The king thinks 
that I mistrust him not, but I can read his thoughts 
easily. I tell thee plainly, he does not mean that I 
shall see thee again ; but I have friends in the palace. 
Keep up a good heart, let come what will.” 

And why is all this ?” murmured the maiden, in a 
prayerful tone, taking one of the old man’s hands in her 
own, and gazing up into his face. ‘‘ Thou art not my 
father by blood.” 

‘‘Thou knowest I am not, for I have so told thee.” 

“ Then who am I ?” 

“All that thou seest thyself. I cannot tell thee 
more.” 

“ But I only seek to know why the king should so 
treat me.” 

“ If I give thee promise of safety from his power, 
why should that trouble thee ?” 

“ O, but I cannot feel the assurance of that safety. 
Suppose he should put thee to death ?” 

“ He cannot. As soon as my work is done, I shall 
slip away from the palace. I shall not dare to remain. 
But thou shall be cared for.” 

In vain was it that lanthe strove to gain some further 
knowledge of the strange circumstances of the past 
which were hidden from her, and which yet held so 
much influence in the present, beside casting dark 
shadows into the future. Bellerus would not speak, for 
he said he could not. His tongue was tied. 

At length the old man arose to take his leave. He 
held the sweet girl by the hands, and spoke hopefully 
yet solemnly : 

“ lanthe, in all that is to come be sustained by the 
assurance that it is the will of the gods. Aye, it is the 


Within the Vault, 


87 


will of a God whom this people know not. It is the will 
of the One Almighty — the great I Am ! Thou canst 
not escape thy fate. Did it lay in the power of man to 
release thee from the ordeal through which thou must 
pass, I would have removed thee from danger ere this. 
But be brave and hopeful, and in the end a crown of 
joy and peace shall be thine. And once more I tell 
thee thou hast many friends beside me. Shouldst 
thou never behold me more they would serve you all 
the same. So lanthe — my child, my beloved — look to 
thy crown of joy in the future, and bear all in the pres- 
ent with fortitude.” 

He kissed her, and overpowered by the wondrous 
emotions that came overwhelming upon her, she sank 
down and covered her face with her hands. But soon 
she started up again and called the name of Bellerus. 
No answer. She was alone. She called again ; the 
door was opened and the eunuch appeared. She gazed 
for an instant in his horrible face, and then shrank 
away in terror, and buried her face in the soft cushion 
of her couch. 


CHAPTER IX. 

WITHIN THE VAULT — AND UPON ITS BRINK. 

Early in the morning, before the craftsmen were 
astir, the monarch called his chamberlain, and they 
repaired to the closet where the work had been going 
on. The broad marble cover was up, and they looked 
down into the vault. 

What think you of it ?” asked Pyrrho. 

Horrible !” whispered Donatus, shuddering as he 


88 


Alaric. 


gazed down into the Plutonian darkness, and felt the 
damp, chill air coming up. 

It is so deep,’* pursued the king, that no sound 
could reach us from the bottom. Were there at this 
moment a hundred men down there, their united voices 
could not be made palpable to our ears. Is it not a 
strange place ?’* 

‘‘ Indeed it is, sire.” 

‘‘ And it will be a wondrous place for keeping secrets, 
Donatus.” 

The chamberlain, hardened as he was, could not keep 
back the shudder which crept over him at the thought 
thus suggested — the thought of consigning a human 
being to such a place, 

“ It will not be a lingering death — not very,” 
exclaimed the king ; for, upon clearing away some of 
the collected dirt upon the inner wall drops of water 
started in, and ere long there will be enough to drown a 
man in there.” 

‘‘It will be a sure death,” said Donatus, speaking 
more freely as he became habituated to the idea. 

“ All the powder and cunning of earth could not get a 
man up from that. dark depth when he was once there ! 
I tell thee, Donatus, it is a wondrous thing. And see 
how I have had it fixed.” 

Thus speaking, the monarch took hold of that part of 
the marble covering which swung up from the aperture, 
and, with a single effort, he threw it into place ! and 
when it was done the floor of the closet seemed 
unbroken ; the centre-piece of marble looking not in 
the least out of character or harmony from being sur- 
rounded by the mosaic pavement. 

“ Now observe,” pursued Pyrrho. “ We can make this 
closet as dark as we please, and the moment a man is 
led upon yonder edge of this marble down he must go. 


Within the Vault. 


89 


The craftsmen have only to fix the braxen pins in their 
places, by which this covering can be held firm when I 
so wish, and then all will be done. When they are 
fitted I can so arrange them that I can hold the trap in 
its place with my foot, and let it go when I please. 
You, Donatus, are the only living being to whom I shall 
communicate this secret ; and thus I shall hold com- 
plete power over the lives of those about me, even while 
they know it not. Thou wilt not breathe it T 

‘‘ Never, sire. But the workmen who have fashioned 
this trap T 

Dost think they have not made their work strong 
enough to hold themselves ? Ha, ha ! Bellerus has 
planned for escaping as soon as this is done. I over- 
heard somewhat of their conversation, and I know their 
intent. The old artisan did not think I was near, and 
he let the whole plot out. They have contrived to learn 
the way to the court by the lower private corridor, and 
they have also obtained false keys to some of my doors ; 
and thus they mean to leave me as soon as possible. 
Oho ! I heard their whole plan ; 'twas a good one ! and 
they look for help, if need be, from some one within the 
palace ! But I’ve a plan of my own, one I have had 
from the first, and 1*11 give them a taste of the quality 
of a king’s ingenuity. And to this end I want your 
assistance. Hence I have called you thus early that we 
might have a perfect understanding.” 

The chamberlain was ready to listen, and the pfen 
was soon contrived, after which they withdrew to attend 
to other matters. 

In due time Bellerus and his companions entered the 
closet and resumed their work, and by the middle of the 
afternoon it was all complete, though they had as yet 
made no report to that effect, nor did they intend to 
until it suited their convenience. But the king entered, 


90 


A laric. 


however, while they were consulting, and he saw at 
once that they had no more to do, though he pretended 
not to notice it. 

Will you have it all finished to-night, good Bel- 
lerus he asked, in a most friendly and condescending 
manner. 

We shall try, sire,” was the answer of the old artisan 
while he cast a meaning glance upon his comrades. 

Very well,” resumed Pyrrho, advancing to the brink 
and gazing over, you may take your own time. But I 
must be very busy during the remainder of the evening, 
and I have come to satisfy myself upon one point. I 
think you said that water was oozing in from near the 
top of the vault.” 

“ Yes, sire, probably from the drainage of your bath.” 

“ Have you been down to see how much has run in 
since yesterday ?” 

‘‘ No.” 

‘‘ I wish you would do so now, then. You have the 
staging all rigged ?” 

‘‘ It is all handy, sire.” 

Then will you not go down and examine ? You, 
with two of your men to hold the torches, can descend, 
while the other two, with myself, remain here to attend 
the ropes.” 

Without further remark Bellerus proceeded to arrange 
the swinging staging, and when it had been suspended 
over the edge of the vault, he called upon two of his men 
to come with him. They obeyed, and when they had 
taken their places they were carefully lowered, the rope 
being wound up on an axle of small diameter, to which 
was attached a wheel so large that one man could easily 
manage the weight of half-a-dozen suspended by the 
rope. 

Down went the old craftsman and his two companions 


Within the Vault. 


91 


— slowly and steadily — down — down — and the king 
watched vthe unwinding rope with a nervous gaze. 

Hark !" he said, at the same time clapping his hands. 
‘‘ Did not Bellerus call to you T 

The two men at the wheel stopped and listened. 

Here, let me hold this where it is, and do you look 
down and ascertain what he wants.” 

The monarch caught the wheel as he spoke, and the 
two artisans advanced to the edge of the vault and 
looked over. At that moment the chamberlain, who 
had recognized the signal agreed upon, glided into the 
apartment without noise. In a moment more Pyrrho 
had let the wheel go, and, with a sudden movement, he 
pushed the craftsman nearest to him over the fearful 
brink, while Donatus, who had been on the alert, served 
the second man in like manner. The royal assassin 
bent his ear over the dark pit to listen, but the swift 
revolving of the wheel overcame all other sound. In a 
short time, hovrever, the rope had all run off, and with 
a blow of his sword the king cut it loose, and let it go, 
after which he bent his ear again over the brink of the 
fearful pit. But all was silent as the grave down there. 
Once he fancied he heard the shriek of a dying man, but 
it was not repeated. The damp, deathly exhalation 
struggled up from the Tartarian abyss, but it bore with 
it no sound from those who had been consigned to the 
horrible prison. 

Now, Donatus,” spoke the monarch, “ the secret of 
this place, in its present use, rests with you and me 
alone. Let us guard our speech so that no other being 
shall know it and live.” 

I will be guarded,” replied the chamberlain, shaking 
over the horror which had crept in upon him. It was 
not a horror at seeing five men put to death ; but it was 
from the terrible gloom which clung to the place. It 


92 


Alartc, 


seemed to bring him near to the infernal regions, and 
he almost imagined that he could hear the groans of 
Ixion and Sisyphus, and of the wretches who fled the 
fiery flames. In short, Donatus had never been a brave 
man. He was a ready tool, and an adroit courtier, and 
thus had gained and maintained his position. 

I can now dispose of those whom I fear without 
trusting to brazen bolts, or bungling executioners,” said 
Pyrrho, as he stepped back from the aperture. Now 
help me move this wheel away, and we will then attend 
to other matters.” 

The wheel was borne to an adjoining room, where a 
mass of rubbish was collected, and then the king 
returned and closed the mouth of his vault. The heavy 
marble swung over into its place without noise, and 
when the dread sepulchre was thus hidden, the tyrant 
and his minister left the spot. The latter repaired to 
the hall of audience to attend to the duties of his office 
in that quarter, while the former remained in an ante- 
room adjacent to the bath. 

When the king was thus alone he began to pace 
nervously to and fro, ever and anon stopping, as some 
thought, more mighty than others, rested upon his 
mind. 

‘‘ By the curse of Tantalus,” he muttered to himself, 
halting in the centre of the room, with his hands folded, 
and his eyes bent upon the floor, I am in sore doubt 
upon this matter. The counsel of Donatus is good, pro- 
viding the maiden is to be thus managed. But if she 
refuse, what then? I cannot feel safe to have her 
unwillingly with me. Her guardian is disposed of, and 
far better is it that she should follow him than that she 
should live to bring danger upon me.” 

Thus speaking, he touched a bell-cord close at hand, 
and in a few moments a page made his appearance, 


Within the Vault. 


93 


Bid Mestor to come hither,” was his order ; and ere 
long the eunuch made his appearance. 

^‘Mestor,” said the king, “how does the maiden 
appear ?” 

“ Since the old craftsman left her last, sire, she has 
been sad.” 

“ What makes her so ?” 

“ I cannot tell. She was in fair spirits while he came 
and went ; but the cloud settled upon her last evening, 
and to-day she has found no comfort.” 

“ Aye, I think I see,” the king returned. “ The old 
man must have told her his work would be finished 
to-day, and she thinks he will go away without her. You 
may bring her to me.” 

The eunuch bowed and withdrew, and Pyrrho 
appeared more nervous than before. He strode about 
the apartment for awhile and then stopped again, with 
his hands folded, and his head bowed, as before. 

“ The way is plain enough,” he muttered. “ I would 
like her for a wife, and were she else than what she is 
rd have her if Pluto himself said nay ! But if she came 
not willingly to me she must take the other course ! If 
she passes quietly away from earth, all this trouble will 
be gone, and I shall breathe again. 'Tis easily done. 
’Tis but a single motion — an effort of the will — a pres- 
sure of my foot — and she will be in the land of vShad- 
ows ! Surely the sepulchre I will give her ought to 
warrant her passage over the dark and pestilential 
river.” 

At this point the door opened, and Mestor entered, 
leading Ian the by the hand. Pyrrho motioned for the 
eunuch to depart, and then he turned towards the 
maiden, who stood before him with her hands folded 
upon her bosom, and her eyes bent upon the floor. She 
did seem sad and melancholy, but she was beautiful— 


94 


Alartc. 


very beautiful. Her loveliness was almost celestial, and 
for the while the voluptuous monarch seemed transfixed 
by the presence. 

“ Lady,” he finally said, assuming a kindly tone. “J 
have sent for thee that I might speak with all plainness 
and fullness of heart, and 1 trust that thou wilt listen to 
me, and give me all thy confidence.” 

She gazed up into the king’s face but her eyes quickly 
fell again, for she could not bear to look upon the fea- 
tures of one who had been so cruel, and whose hands 
were stained with so much blood. Ah ! had she known 
the deed that had last stained those hands! but in mercy, 
she did not. 

I shall speak plainly,” pursued the king, and you 
must have your thoughts ready. Suppose I were to 
offer you the crown of — queen ?” 

lanthe started, and tottered back. 

“ Suppose I were to offer you a seat upon the throne 
of Sicily ?” 

Again the maiden started, but this time the emotion 
was deeper and stronger. 

Will you not answer me ?” 

“ Sire,” she said, raising her eyes slowly to his face. 

Thou canst not be serious in this.” 

I am serious, lady. I would make thee my queen. 
I speak in all seriousness, and after due deliberation. 
And I would have thee deliberate ere thou answerest.” 

Thou hast one queen already, sire.” 

I said I would make thee my queen,” the king an- 
swered, quickly. ‘‘ If thou wilt accept the offer, thou 
shalt have the place, and nothing shall stand in thy 
way.” • 

It cannot be,” the maiden said. 

But I tell thee it can be ! I know of what I speak.” 


Within the Vault, 


95 


Sire, if thou wouldst do me a kindness, let me go to 
my father. Send me back to the home from whence I 
was taken.’' 

“ Thou art mistaken, lady, if thou thinkest I would do 
all this for thy sake alone. I love thee. Why dost thou 
start ?” 

‘‘ O ! speak not so to me. Let me go.” 

“ Not until we have a better understanding. I tell 
thee again — I love thee, and would make thee queen. 
Now wilt thou not accept my offer ?” 

‘‘ I cannot.” 

‘‘ Bethink thyself.” 

“ I have thought enough, sire. It cannot be.” 

I would not be harsh, fair lady, nor force thee to a 
conclusion ; but I may say this much in all sincerity : 
If thou wilt be my queen, all shall be well with thee, 
but if thou refusest I may not have the power to save 
thee from a fearful fate.” 

The maiden was frightened now, for the memory of 
old fears came to harass her, and she could not so well 
bear the new. She was very pale, and leaned against 
the marble wall for support. 

‘‘ I would not threaten you,” continued Pyrrho, as he 
saw how deeply moved she was. I only speak the 
truth. The fates have decreed that thou shalt be my 
queen.” 

“ No, no, no!” cried Ian the, struggling with the deadly 
fear that was upon her, and in a measure overcoming 
it. The fates have not so decreed.” 

‘‘ But I tell thee they have.” 

Again the maiden struggled with the fear-spirit, and 
gradually she overcame it — overcame it so far that she 
could control herself even in the presence of the base 
tyrant of Sicily. 


96 


Alarzc. 


“ Sire,” she said, and she seemed very calm as she 
spoke, “ I cannot be what you have proposed.” 

“ But suppose a worse fate were behind it ?” 

There can be none worse on earth.” 

‘‘ Ha! is that your mind ?” 

It is.” 

“ And you dare to speak your hate ?” 

'' I have not spoken of hate, sire. I have spoken with 
the thought of my own heart, of which I take counsel.” 

The king strode across the apartment, and when he 
returned, he gazed upon the girl with a strange look. 
There was anger — there was fear — there was vengeance 
— and yet much of admiration, upon his countenance. 

“ Once more I ask thee — ^would nothing induce thee 
to share my throne ?” 

‘‘ Nothing !” 

‘‘ Not even the fear of death ?” 

Not even the fear of death,” replied lanthe, firmly. 

Again the monarch crossed the room, and when he 
returned this time he had assumed a look which those 
who knew him best would have dreaded. 

I meant not to threaten you,” he said, with a strange 
tremor in his tone, and a burning light in his eye. I 
only wished to try you to the last, for I had hoped that 
you might consent. Yet I assure thee thou hadst much 
better accept mine offer.” 

“ I cannot,” was the maiden’s response. 

And such is thy final answer ? No power can change 
thy mind ?” 

“ Not while I live, and have the sense of reason.” 

“ Then I will not waste time with thee further.” 

lanthe started at the sound of the king’s voice, for it 
had greatly changed. She had not been so much moved 
by his look and tone of anger, for she had expected as 


Within the Vault. 


97 


much ; but in this there was something dreadful — some- 
thing that sounded doomful and final. 

Pyrrho walked to the door, and opened it— -not the 
door by which lanthe had entered, but the one where he 
had come in — and then turned back. 

‘‘Come with me,'' he said, “and I will conduct thee to 
the place where thy father is !" 

“ Wilt thou ? Wilt thou let me go with him ?” 

“ Thou shalt see how true a king can be to his word. 
I mean now to send thee direct to Bellerus' arms. I 
can ill bear the thought of losing thee, but if thou wilt 
not be my queen, I can have no cause for keeping thee. 
So come with me. Shall I lead thee ?" 

“ No. I can walk alone." 

The distance was very short, only a step into the bath, 
then across, into a short passage, a slight turn, an open- 
ing door ; one more, and the tyrant stood within the 
closet where the fatal vault had been arranged. The 
maiden followed him; followed him until she stood 
upon the very center of that part of the marble slab 
which flew downward when the spring was set free. 

“ Thou wilt not be my queen ?" the king asked in a 
hoarse whisper; for even he was agitated at the 
thought of the dread fate which yawned beneath the 
lovely being. 

“ Oh ! I cannot. Carry me to my father !" 

“ Thou shalt be with him very quickly !" 



CHAPTER X. 

A MARTYR. 

The foot of the king was upon the fatal spring, but 
he hesitated ere he pressed upon it. Never before had 
he seen such beauty, and should he thus throw the 
lovely jewel away ? He gazed upon the maiden, and as 
he caught the soft light of her wondrous eyes, and saw 
the sweet lips half apart, as though exhaling the breath 
of roses, as he saw her neck of alabaster whiteness, and 
her bosom like the breasts of swans that were twins, his 
mind wavered. He would possess her charms, but 
should he accept the risk ? 

What might have been the result, had he been left to 
himself, it is impossible to say, for while he thus hesi- 
tated, the door of the closet was thrown unceremoniously 
open, and the chamberlain entered. He started back 
as he saw the maiden standing upon that fatal spot, and 
an exclamation of alaimi broke from his lips. 

“ How, now ?*’ cried the king, in an angry tone. 

What do you here unbidden ?’* 

Pardon, sire. It is a matter of necessity, and I 
thought to find thee alone.’’ 

lanthe stepped aside as the chamberlain spoke, but 
he was careful not to take her place. He walked around 
the marble covering, and whispered to the king that he 
should send the maiden away. They repaired to 
[98] 



4 Marty7\ 


99 


another apartment, where Mestor was summoned, and 
when he made his appearance, lanthe was once more 
placed under his charge. 

But my father, sire,’* she cried, as the eunuch was 
about to lead her away. You promised to take me to 
him.” 

And so I meant, but business of moment now claims 
my attention. However, thou shall be well cared for. 
Go with Mestor now, and we will of thy father anon.” 

Without further command the slave led lanthe from 
the apartment, and when they were gone, the king 
turned upon his chamberlain. 

“ By the Furies, Donatus, thou hast taken great 
liberty with me.** 

How so, sire ?’* 

“ In coming upon me as thou didst in that place.** 

And did you mean to consign the lady lanthe to that 
vault, sire ?** 

“ Most surely I did.** 

‘‘ Then I am glad I came, and though I sought thee 
for another purpose, yet would I have sought thee for 
that alone, had I been forewarned of thy intent.** 

“ Ha ! thou speakest as one who has assurance. By 
the powers, Donatus, I might not well brook thy inter- 
ference.** 

And yet I must speak, sire,** replied the chamber- 
lain, throwing off all fear, and assuming that appear- 
ance of solicitude for his royal master which he knew 
so well how to put on. 

Speak on,** said Pyrrho. I am ready to listen, and 
then govern myself as I please.** 

Most surely that is thy privilege, sire. But I will 
speak my mind. If thou hadst taken the maiden’s life, 
the consequences would have been greater in disaster 
than thou hadst imagined. We cannot judge how many 


ioo‘ 


A laric. 


in Syracuse may know the secret of her life. I do not 
think that secret has rested alone with Bellerus.’* 

Well, what of that T demanded the king impa- 
tiently. 

‘‘ Much, sire. Should she be missed she would be 
traced hither, and if she was not found the people 
would soon know that she had been slain in the palace. > 
I tell thee, Pyrrho, we have not the power to stand up 
under such a shock as would fall upon us.*’ 

But how can she be traced hither > She was alone 
in the house whence she was taken, and no one met her 
on her way.” 

“ Aye, sire, you should know how such things leak 
out. It will be known fast enough.” 

But, Donatus, we are not fully sure that she is what 
we suspected.” 

“ I am as sure of it as that I live. I tell thee, sire, I 
know it. So let us consider that point settled.” 

“ And what would ye have me do ?” 

“ The way is plain enough for your majesty. You 
must make her your wife. Let her once occupy that 
station, and you have nothing to fear from the quarter 
whence come the threatenings we most dread.” 

“ But she declares that she will never be such.” 

I expected she would, for *tis evident that she loves 
the youth Alaric. But shall the king stop at the whim 
of a girl ? Have you not in the palace appliances that 
might bend her to your will? I say, sire, she must be 
your queen.” 

‘‘ B)^ the sacred temple, but thou dost talk most 
directly, Donatus.” 

And thou must do it, sire.” 

But might not an unwilling queen do me more harm 
than good ? Suppose she should claim the sympathy 
of her people in her forced condition ?” 


A Martyr. 


lOI 


‘‘ By the crown of Pluto, sire, I think, if I were king, 
I’d dwell lightly upon such a risk. Have you not the 
power? Can you not make her understand that her 
very life is in your hands, and that it hangs upon her 
obedience r Let not that thought give you trouble. 
Will you not think of this ?” 

I will. I have thought of it while you have been 
speaking, and I have almost resolved that she shall be 
my queen.” 

“ Right, sire.” 

‘‘ And I shall think further upon it. But enough of 
this for the present. Now tell me what called you to 
my presence so unexpectedly.” 

“ Your captain has a message for 3"ou. He came to 
the audience-chamber, and said he had something of 
importance to communicate.” 

We will seek him, then.” 

“ But, sire, thou hast pardoned me for interrupting 
thee ?” 

‘‘Yes, Donatus. And on the whole, I am glad thou 
didst come.” 

When they reached the great chamber, they found 
the captain of the guard there, who seemed to have 
been waiting impatiently for the king. 

“ What is it, Claudian ?” asked Pyrrho, taking a seat 
on his throne. 

“ I have come with intelligence, sire,” the captain 
replied. 

“ Of what character is it ?” 

“ Of an important one. Thou knowest my lieutenant, 
Leos ?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ He is of quick temper and can ill brook opposition 
from those who should obey, but he is an honest man, 
^nd one firmly attached to thy interest, sire.” 


102 


A laric. 


I know the man well, captain, and have more than 
once taken note of his pi'oper attention to duty. But 
what of him ?” 

“ I’ll tell thee, sire. Thou knowest that Fingal and 
his men were slain in the street of the fountain, so I 
put upon the command in that section this same lieu- 
tenant, Leos, knowing that he was one of the most 
shrewd and brave of all our officers. I should prefer 
that he should relate to thee his own adventure, but I 
have come in advance to crave thy pardon for a grave 
error which he committed.” 

“ If ’twas only an error, our pardon is granted in the 
outset. So let him be called in.” 

The captain withdrew, and shortly returned with his 
lieutenant, who was a middle-aged man, of stern aspect 
and powerful frame. He bowed before the king and 
then moved back a pace. 

What is this thou hast to tell ?” the monarch asked, 
regarding the man eagerly. 

‘^Sire,” he replied, I was placed in command over 
the guard set within three bow-shots of the Temple of 
Diana, and I was particularly informed of all the cir- 
cumstances which had led to this extraordinary watch, 
so I saw the necessity of being on the alert, and allow- 
ing nothing to escape my notice. 

And thou didst very right, good Leos.” 

Last night, sire, I saw men moving about the streets 
who could have no legitimate business in the quarters 
where they were, and I bade my men to watch them, 
but they were suffered to slip away without their 
errands being discovered. Towards midnight I saw 
four men cross the square of the fountain and those I 
followed myself. I had hung upon their steps until 
they had reached the street of Mars, and when I 
thought I had them most surely under my observance, 


A Martyr. 


103 


they slipped away from my sight, and I knew not 
whither they had gone. I made all possible haste to the 
point where I had last beheld them, but in no way could 
I account for their disappearance. An hour later, while 
I was again in the square and musing upon this occur- 
rence, I saw these same four men emerge from one of the 
narrow streets. Two of my guard were with me, and 
we concealed ourselves so as to observe the men should 
they pass near us. They did come near, so near that 
I could see the outline of their faces and I felt sure that 
two of the party belonged within the palace of your 
majesty. * I judged so more particularly from their 
garb, which I knew was the same as those worn by 
some of the serving-men in the lower department of 
this place. I thought it strange that servants of the 
king's household should be stealthily gliding about in 
such a quarter at such an hour, and I determined to 
arrest them. As they were very near I stepped out before 
them and ordered them to stop, but instead thereof they 
took to flight, and in spite of all our efforts, three of them 
escaped us. We succeeded in capturing one of them, 
but he w^as not one of those whom we had been most 
anxious to secure. He was an old man of three-score 
at least, of the name of Proteus, and was a cunning 
worker in various kinds of metals.” 

“ I have heard of him,” interrupted the king. ‘‘ He is 
not a native here ?” 

‘‘ No, sire. He was from the east, from Palestine, I 
think.” 

“ Go on with your account. I am interested.” 

‘‘ When we found that the other three had escaped us, 
we took this man to the guard-house, and there I ques- 
tioned him. First, I asked him if he knew whither his 
companions had gone, and he said he did not. Then I 
asked him what he had been doing out so late, to which 


104 


A laric. 


he would give no direct answer. Then I asked whoi 
were the two serving-men of the royal palace that had 
been with him. At first he seemed inclined to deny 
that they were such, but when I made him understand 
that I was confident upon this point, he flatly refused to 
answer. I had been clothed by my commander with 
power sufficient to meet any emergency of this kind, 
and I determined to wring an answer from him, for I 
conceived it to be of the utmost importance that your 
majesty should know who had been out from the palace 
under such suspicious circumstances. I asked him 
again if he would give me the names of his companions, 
and again he refused. Then I told him I would take 
his life if he did not speak, and tell me who were the 
men from the palace that had been with him, and his 
answer was, that he would die before the answer should 
pass his lips. 

“ I must confess, sire, that I was deeply wroth at this. 
It galled me to have my authority thus set at naught, 
in the presence of my followers, by a simple craftsman, 
and I determined to put his endurance to the test. Once 
more I threatened him with death if he did not give me 
the names I asked for, and his refusal was even more 
peremptory than before. I ordered him to be stripped 
from the waist up, and then lashed to one of the pillars 
of the guard-house. When he was secured, with his 
arms turned behind him, and lashed around the pillar, 
I put the question to him again ; but he only answered 
me that he had spoken all he should speak upon that 
subject. Then I ordered one of my men to present a 
sharp spear to his naked left breast ; and when this had 
been done I assured him that the steel should be driven 
to his heart if he did not speak. He told me I might 
kill him if I pleased, but that no power of earth could 
force from him a secret which he had promised to keep. 


A Martyr, 


105 


This excited my curiosity and my suspicions still more, 
for I saw that the men from the palace had reason for 
not wishing to be known ; and, if the keeping of their 
secret was worth a human life, how much more import- 
ance might there not be for the king’s knowing it ! The 
spear -head was pressed upon his bosom until the flesh 
was punctured, and the red blood started forth, and yet 
he would not speak. 

“ Sire, he died ! He died with the secret unspoken ; 
and to the last moment he was firm and unshaken. I 
could not help it. I did not think he would remain so 
stubborn. I believed that his fortitude would give way 
ere a vital spot was reached. I caught his head as it 
sank forward, and there was a whispered sentence upon 
his lips. I caught only the last word, and that was 

JEHOVAH !” 

The king remained for some moments speechless with 
wonder. He gazed first upon his chamberlain, and then 
upon his captain. He seemed to care nothing for the 
deed of death the lieutenant had done — he only cursed 
the fate that had kept the victim’s lips sealed. 

Donatus,” he finally said, what thinkest thou of 
this ?” 


“ I think it most strange, sire, and startling.” 

I thought it so,” added the captain ; and hence I 
;vas anxious that you should hear it as it was.” 

“ But there must be a deep cause behind all this,” 
Dursued the king. There must be an organization of 
nore than ordinary moment. Leos, I am sorry thou 
lidst take the fellow’s life, for I would have questioned 
lim myself ; but I cannot blame thee. We must find 
mother, and we may be more successful. Only bear 
his one thing in mind, and have it communicated to all 
he officers of the guard : If another man is apprehended 
mder like circumstances, let him be brought at once to 


io6 


A laric. 


me. By the gods, I will question him with such appli- 
ances as shall make his tongue speak to some pur- 
pose.” 

“You shall be obeyed, sire,” responded the captain. 

Then the king asked Leos if he could give any descrip- 
tion of the two men he had seen, and whom he took 
to be members of the royal household. 

“ I cannot describe them, sire,” the lieutenant replied, 
“ for it was quite dark, and I could not distinguish their 
features. But the impression was a vivid one. I knew 
their dress, and, in my own mind, I was sure. Thou 
knowest how a man may entertain a conviction as strong 
as absolute proof can make it, and yet be unable to sub- 
stantiate it to another. But the prisoner, in fact, 
admitted that two of his companions were members of 
your majesty’s household.” 

“ This thing must be sifted to the very bottom,” 
declared the monarch. “ Perhaps, if you were to see 
all the inmates of the palace assembled you could dis- 
tinguish the two men whom you observed ?” 

“ I might, sire.” 

The king was too anxious upon the subject to allow an 
opportunity to escape him, and he at once gave orders 
for closing all the doors and gates, and having the ser- 
vants mustered under their respective chiefs. When 
this had been 4one, he took the lieutenant with him, 
and passed before the assembled servitors. Every man 
had answered to his name, and Leos scanned every 
one ; but among so many — where there were hundreds 
wearing the same dress as he had seen, and so many of 
the same size and general outline of form — it was 
impossible for him to approach a decision. He was 
puzzled and confessed that he could not even tell whom 
to suspect. 

The most rigid inquiries were instituted, and no 


A Martyr, 


107 


information of importance could be gained ; and finally 
the king was forced to give up. 

But he did not give up the determination to push 
this matter to the utmost extent of his power. There 
was a fearful plot somewhere, he felt sure of it, and he 
Bust fathom it by his own wit. He had never striven 
to make friends, so he had no strong friendships to flee 
to now. But he could depend somewhat upon those 
l^ho were interested with him, and upon them alone 
Bould he call for counsel in this hour of need. He con- 
ferred long with Donatus, and it was finally agreed 
Upon that every suspicious man should be brought at 
ance to the palace, and consigned to the Tartarian vault 
beyond the private bath. 

“ It is the only safe course,'' said the monarch. 

Bellerus is already disposed of ; we'll have Alaric 
loon ; and then others shall be sent to the valley of 
lhadows as we find them." 

“And Ian the ?" suggested the chamberlain. 

“ By the couch of Venus, I have resolved to keep 
her !" cried Pyrrho, excitedly. “ I have pondered well 
iBpon it, and I think such is the best course. Aha ! I’ll 
have the most lovely maiden of all Sicily for my own, 
■and I’ll bend the influence she may wield to my own 
: benefit. I may have a troublous time in taming her." 

! “ Marry her first and then use the authority of a 

husband. The husband may accomplish more than the 
I king.” 

I “ Right, Donatus. I'll try it." 

I “ And your majesty fully pardons me for having 
I interrupted you while you held the maiden over the 
fatal crypt ?" 

“ Aye ! from my heart, Donatus. She is a rare prize. 
She may minister to my safety, to my love, or to my 
vengeance ; but, be it as it may, I am glad she is saved." 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE MYSTIC TIE. 

We left Alaric in the lone chamber beneath the 
Temple of Diana, whither he had been consigned by 
Bellerus. When he was left alone he wondered much 
at what had transpired. He knew that the temple 
was a sacred place, and held in great reverence by the 
people, and that the priests thereof had much power. 
How, then, the humble craftsman could have gained 
access to these secret chambers, and ^pass guarded 
points as one who had due privilege, was a matter of 
astonishment to him. But it was not upon these points 
that he dwelt with the most feeling, for there was 
something moving within more weighty than mere 
surprise or astonishment. There seemed present with 
him a fate. A spirit of prophecy and of power, which 
beckoned to him from its mystic throne, and bade him 
cast away the rusting implements of the past, and gird 
on, a bright armor for the necessities of the future. He 
felt that a great nee^ was awaiting a champion, an 1 
that the man who would respond must be pure and 
unselfish. He had heard enough, and felt enough, to 
arouse in his soul the will to perform a great work ; 
but when he thought of the result, when his mind dwelt 
upon the image which the consummation of that work 
presented, he could not but instinctively shrink from it. 
rio8] 


The Mystic Tie. 


109 


It seemed a result too stupendous for him ever to real- 
ize ; and, with an effort of the will, he turned his 
thoughts into another channel. 

He examined the walls and the furniture of the 
apartment, and he knew that such a place had never 
been made for a prison. The porphyry, the marble, 
and the epidote were not only highly polished, but 
in many places elaborately sculptured ; while the fur- 
niture, the couches, the cushion stands, and the foot- 
stools were covered with the finest of tapestry, and 
inlaid with gold and ivory. He tasted of the viands, 
and found them exquisitely cooked and flavored. He 
had made an inspection of the place, and resumed 
his seat upon the couch, when the door was opened, 
and some one entered. Alaric looked up, and beheld 
a figure which inspired him wdth sudden awe. It was 
an aged man, with a beard long and flowing, his form 
enveloped in a robe of silk, which fell from the 
shoulders to his feet. This vestment was adorned 
with gold and jewels of rare workmanship, and so 
arranged as to form characters of hidden meaning. 

Thy name is Alaric ?'’ the old man said, after he 
had closed the door behind him. 

It is, sir,” our hero replied. 

Since I wish to be plain with thee, and have 
thee plain and frank with me, I will tell thee who and 
what I am. Didst ever hear of Pythion ?” 

“ Pythion !” repeated the youth, gazing eagerly into 
the face of his visitor. I know that my father had a 
bosom friend of that name. He was an architect of 
renown, and a philosopher, and came from Athens.” 

And has since become 'one of the priests of this 
temple,” added the old man. Know, Alaric, that I 
am Pythion, and that I was thy father’s friend. And I 


I lO 


Alaric. 


now give thee my right hand in token of the contin- 
uance of that friendship to thee.’' He extended his 
hand as he spoke, and the youth grasped it with confi- 
dence. 

“ I have need of friends,” Alaric said, tremulously, 
for his heart was moved ; and I accept thine with the 
deepest gratitude.” 

“ And dost thou feel perfect trust in me ?” 

‘‘Aye, from my inmost soul.” And the youth spoke 
from a firm and reliable conviction. He had an intui- 
tive perception and assurance of spirit that the man 
before him was to be implicitly trusted. And then he 
remembered what Bellerus had told him. In short, he 
had no fear, but the most abiding confidence and faith 
in the good-will of those who might meet him here. 

“ You must be fatigued and weary,” suggested 
Pythion, taking a seat by Alaric’s side. 

“ I am somewhat weary,” our hero replied, “ though 
I might bear much more of fatigue if there were 
need.” 

“ But there is no need, my son ; and thou hadst 
better keep thy strength against the time of necessity, 
for such a time may ere long come. I know what thou 
hast passed through since the night set in, and I think 
thou hadst better rest awhile. On the morrow I shall 
have something of importance to communicate ; but 
now I will merely ask thee a simple question : Wouldst 
thou like to join a fraternity to which thy father 
belonged, the brethren of which would be true to thee 
in return for thy truth to them ?” 

“Aye, I should,” quickly answered the youth. 

“ But suppose it were to put thy life in jeopardy, 
my son ?” 

“ I should not hesitate at that ; for my life is not mine 
when my duty demands it.” 


The Mystic Tie, 


III 


I am pleased with thy answer, and many others will 
be likewise pleased. And now follow me, and thou 
shalt find rest.’' 

Without question Alaric arose and followed the old 
man from the place. He went but a short distance 
when he found himself in a small apartment, the walls 
of which were hung with cinnamon colored tapestry, 
and where was a soft couch of lightest down, with 
blankets of silk and of wool. 

Alaric did not remain long awake after he was left 
alone, for he was worn and weary with both bodily and 
mental fatigue. He reflected awhile upon the subject 
which Pythion had broached to him, but he did not 
seek to weary himself with useless conjecture, as he 
firmly believed that he was in the hands of those who 
would be true friends to him. He fell asleep, and 
though his dreams were of a strange, startling char- 
acter, yet he finally slept soundly, and when he awoke 
he found Pythion by his bedside. 

Thou hast slept well and soundly,” said the old man, 
as he saw the youth fairly awake. 

“ I have certainly slept very soundly,” returned Alaric, 
lifting himself upon his elbow. Is it yet day ?” 

“ Aye, it is nearly noon.” 

Noon !” repeated our hero, starting further up. 

And I have slept so long ?” 

Thou hast not slept many hours, for it was well- 
nigh morning when I brought thee hither. But come 
— thou shalt have thy bath and thy breakfast, and then 
we may find business.” 

Alaric arose and put on his garments, and then fol- 
lowed his conductor to a distant apartment where was 
a bath of warm water. 

Thou hast wondrous space of room beneath the 


I 12 


A laric. 


temple/’ said the youth, unable to conceal his surprise 
at all he saw. 

Thou shalt know all in good season,” returned the 
priest, ‘‘ though let me give thee a little light at this 
point. Thou couldst not have beheld what has here 
been shown thee had we not known that thou wouldst 
take upon thyself the solemn obligation necessary to 
bind thee to secrecy. Two men have pledged their 
lives for your faith. Were you to leave us now — that 
is, supposing we would let you go — and reveal what 
thou hast here seen, both Bellerus and Artabanus 
would die. Be assured it is no common privilege which 
has been granted thee ; and perhaps the reason of 
our unusual favor may not be known to thee for some 
time to come.” 

With this, Alaric was left alone, and he at once pro- 
ceeded to perform his ablution. He then found clean 
linen, and a raiment different from any he had before 
worn — a tunic of scarlet stuff, and a mantle of pure 
white, which was to be secured about the loins by a 
stout cord. In a little while Pythion reappeared, and 
he was reconducted to the apartment where he had first 
found himself on the night before, and where he now 
found food prepared for him. He ate, and when he was 
done, the old man asked him if he was now prepared to 
be initiated into the mysteries of the secret brotherhood 
of which mention had been made. 

“ Think well before you answer,” said the priest, in a 
solemn tone ; ‘Hor when you have crossed the thresh- 
old there can be no turning back. Your life, even, will 
be no longer your own. Wherever the light has shone^ 
a thousand men would be ready to slay you on the 
instant of your treason !” 

My father was with you ?” said the youth. 

Yes.” 


The Mystic Tie, 


113 


‘‘ And — pardon me for the question — who was it that 
bore me out from the usurper’s murderers, and car- 
ried me without the walls, on that fatal night that saw 
my father and my brother slain ?” 

They were humble craftsmen, Alaric.” 

And why did they save me in preference to the 
many others who were in danger? I knew them not.” 

But they knew thee as the son of one of their hon- 
ored brethren.” 

So I have thought since I came hither. Lead on, 
father. I am prepared and anxious.” 

The youth was led to an adjoining apartment, where 
he suffered himself to be blindfolded, after which he 
was led away, he knew not whither. He only knew 
that he met with many obstructions, and that his guide 
gained him passage by many strict guards. Finally, he 
knew he was in an apartment which was most carefully 
guarded, and where many persons were assembled, as 
he could tell by the subdued sounds that broke upon the 
still air about him. He felt his bosom bared, and a 
strange voice addressed him. He was stricken with 
awe, but with nothing of terror. The ceremonies pro- 
ceeded, and as the light gradually broke in upon him 
his emotions became deeper and more whelming. He 
was told of a One Living God, who was above all the 
gods of men ; and he was asked if he could realize such 
a God. The thought had been with him for years — a 
germ of reason struggling for growth in his soul — and 
it burst now into Faith. He said he felt confidence in 
the great I Am — that in the Supreme Jehovah he 
would put his trust. He did not shrink from the 
obligation which was imposed upon him, for he was 
sure that he had heard the voice of Artabanus close by 
him. 

Finally, the obstruction was removed from his eyes 


Alaric, 


114 


and he was restored to light. He found himself upon his 
knees before an altar dedicated to the One Living and 
True God. About him stood many men — stout, bold- 
looking men they were — all clothed in the humble garb 
of toil. There was no distinction of dress there. The 
lord and the artisan — the patrician and the slave — met 
upon an equality. It was new and strange, but it w’^as 
holy and sublime. All that had been symbolized had 
looked towards a better world of humanity, and in all 
the striking lessons he had received, the one great truth 
of Brotherhood, and the mutual depend ance of man 
upon his fellows, had been constantly presented. The 
craven might have shrunk from the mystic ordeal, but 
to the bold and manly heart there was something awe- 
inspiring and exalting in it all. 

After this the youth was instructed in many mystic 
signs and tokens, and at length he received the hand of 
the Master in token of full confidence and fellowship. 
He gazed up into the Master's face, and he found it as 
he had supposed from the voice. It was Artabanus, the 
old hermit of Catalona. 

^‘Alaric, my son, and yet my brother,” the old man 
said, “ I trust that you may never regret the obligations 
you have this night taken upon yourself. You now 
belong to an organization more extensive than you 
may have yet imagined. I could not tell you its num- 
bers, for no man knows them ; but wherever the light 
of science has spread, there will our brotherhood be 
found. In time you will know more than you know 
now, and great knowledge shall be given thee. These, 
whom you see about you, are a few of your brethren, 
and remember that they are each and every one bound 
to you as you have bound yourself to them. There is 
not a heart here that would not shed its last drop of 


The Mystic Tie, 


115 


blood ere it would give up the sacred secret thou hadst 
entrusted to it.” 

Alaric recognized many of the faces about him as 
among those he had known in former years, though he 
could not recall the names of many of them. All were 
glad to take him by the hand, and he thought they 
seemed to regard him with more than ordinary inter- 
est. 

Finally the assembly was dismissed, for most of 
those present had work to do, and ere long our hero 
was left alone with Pythion and Artabanus. 

Well, Alaric,” asked the hermit, “ what think you 
of it ?” 

Of what ?” returned the youth, who had been busy 
with his own thoughts. 

‘‘ Of the new position in which yow find yourself.” 

‘‘ I feel that I am as one brought out of darkness into 
light,” was Alaric’s ready answer. 

“ And you shall find the light increase as you 
advance,” added Pythion. 

‘‘Are there many of the brotherhood in this city 
our hero asked. 

“ There are over four thousand.” 

“ So many ?” 

“ Aye ! and all true and tried men, as thou mayest 
yet find. Perhaps thou hast wondered that we should 
have such freedom of passage within the limits of the 
Temple ?” 

“ I have wondered at it, for I know that the people 
hold this Temple of Diana in great reverence, and 
think that only their own priests have access into its 
sacred places.” 

“ And yet they know not their priests,” said Artaba- 
nus, with a smile ; “ nor do they know the secret of the 
oracles to which they give ear. But, Alaric, this 


Alaric. 


1 16 


temple was built by craftsmen of our brotherhood. 
From the lowest apprentice, who bore burdens upon 
his back, to the Master who presided over the workmen 
and over the vrork, all were of our mystic fraternity ; 
and the structure was prepared and reared that it 
might give us the shelter and protection we needed. 
The vast external pile was reared, and then, while a 
few men were apparently at work only in adorning the 
interior, hundreds were busily employed, both night and 
day, in constructing these mystic chambers ; and dur- 
ing the whole time there was not heard the sound of 
axe, hammer, or any tool of iron. The stones were all 
hewn, squared and numbered in the quarries where 
they were raised, and when brought hither they fitted 
to that exact nicety which precluded the necessity of 
noise or confusion. This was done long before our 
day. The craftsmen who fashioned these massive 
chambers have long since passed to their spiritual 
home ; but their valuable secrets they have left to us, 
and they have left to us many virtues which we should 
strive to emulate.** 

The more the youth heard the more deeply was he 
moved with wonder and admiration, and so much was 
he inspired by the things which he saw and felt, that he 
was fully prepared to lay down his life, if need be, 
rather than prove false to a single responsibility he had 
assumed. There was something in the idea of the 

ONE GOD, the SUPREME RULER, the JEHOVAH, that Sank 
deeply into his soul, and greatly exalted all his con- 
ception of the spiritual and immortal part of his 
nature. He had held a vague, dreamy notion of some 
Infinity before, but nothing which his understanding 
had reached. 

When our hero returned to the chamber where he 
had first rested and refreshed himself, it was very nearly 


The Mystic Tie. i i 7 


nightfall, and the old hermit began to prepare for tak- 
ing his leave. 

I would like to go with you to your mountain cave,’' 
said Alaric. 

We have just been considering upon that point,” 
returned Artabanus ; “ and I had about made up my 
mind that you should go and keep me company for 
awhile. We have had reports from our men, and we 
find that every avenue of the city is most strictly 
guarded. The king feels sure that you have not yet 
escaped beyond the walls, and he means that you shall 
not.” 

But I can find some disguise.” 

“ Ah, my son, you could find no disguise that would 
answer you ; for the orders of the soldiers are such that 
they must examine every person whom they do not 
surely know.” 

“ Then I am in a prison, after all !” 

Not so, Alaric,” returned Artabanus, somewhat 
severely. Even if thou could st not leave this place 
at present, be assured that your hands would find better 
work to perform than such as is usually given to pris- 
oners. But when our former brethren constructed this 
place they knew the nature of man, and they knew that 
kings would oftentimes be tyrants ; bo they planned 
ways by which their friends could escape from the city 
in times of great need. I think there would be no dan- 
ger in your bearing me company. What think you 
Pythion ?” 

“ I see not how there can be any,” the priest replied. 
“ I have not heard that the king has set any guard 
without the walls ; but, even if he has, they would be 
only placed by the highways, and on the coast.” 

“ You shall go, my son,” pronounced the hermit. A 


Alarzc, 


1 18 


few days upon the mountain will revive your frame 
from the fatigue of your long voyage.’' 

“ And can I not see lanthe before I go ?" 

No ; that were impossible.” 

She is well ?” 

She was when I last heard from her. But come. 
The sun is already down, and we have some distance to 
go. You had better leave the executioner’s sword which 
you brought hither with you, and take one which our 
priestly warden will give you.” 

The youth was furnished with a garb such as the better 
class of artisans usually wore, consisting of a tunic of 
dark woolen cloth, and a mantle of colored cotton 
which could be worn from the shoulder, or thrown over 
the arm, at pleasure. The sword which was given him 
was of Egyptian manufacture, being longer than the 
Roman weapon, and of finer material and workmanship. 
When this was girded upon his loins he was ready to 
set forth with the hermit, and Pythion lighted a small 
torch, and conducted them through many apartments 
and curious windings, until he reached a door of solid 
brass, which was set within a wall of the same metal. 
This was thrown open by a guard who was stationed 
there, and here the priest resigned the torch into the 
hermit’s hands. 

‘‘ Look well to our men,” said Artabanus ; and if 
from this extraordinary guard which is now posted in 
the city, their movements are likely to be noticed, let 
them remain at home for awhile.” 

It shall be done, my master.” 

Then the hermit and his youthful companion stepped 
over the brazen threshold, and the heavy door w'as 
closed behind them. 



CHAPTER XII. 

A RISE, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 

“We are now beyond the compass of the temple,’’ 
said Artabanus, after the brazen door had been shut 
behind them, “ and within a passage which must have 
cost great time and labor. It is said that our brethren 
were three years in building this way. Its course is 
many feet below the surface of the earth, and the walls 
are of necessity impervious to water.” 

Alaric gazed about him. He found himself within a 
passage some ten feet wide, with an arched roof about 
the same height, the walls and floor of which were of 
the most massive and substantial masonry. It was 
truly calculated to inspire wopder, and the youth was 
profuse in his questions and remarks. 

They hurried on at a swift pace, and at the end of an 
hour they came to a point where the passage seemed 
cut entirely off by a solid wall. But the hermit found 
a way of egress by opening a secret door, and, when 
they had passed through, this door, which was simply a 
movable rock, was reclosed. This brought them to a 
sort of chamber, much larger and higher than the pas- 
sage, and the youth noticed that the floor was strewn 
with rubbish and dirt, and with the bones of animals. 

“ Perhaps you wonder at this,” remarked the old man, 

[1 19] 



120 


Alaric, 


as he noticed that his companion was gazing upon the 
accumulated mass of dirt and rubbish. 

I must confess that I thought it somewhat curious,’^ 
replied Alaric. 

And you will find the rest of our way in equal con- 
fusion/' added Artabanus ; ‘‘ and there is reason for it. 
If you will cast your eyes behind you, you will find that 
the wall through which we have just passed offers little 
promise to any stranger of any passage beyond." 

Alaric gazed around, as his guide held up the torch, 
and he was surprised to find that the rear wall had the 
appearance of being the face of a solid ledge. 

“ It would puzzle you to find the way back," remarked 
the hermit, with a smile. 

“ It certainly would," replied the youth. 

‘‘ In short,” pursued the other, “ you could not find it ; 
nor will I stop to instruct you in the secret now. But 
I will explain the seeming negligence. That end of 
this mystic way which opens into the subterranean 
chambers of the temple could not be reached by mortal 
man, except he be duly entitled to the secret ; but this 
outer end cannot be so guarded. Some wanderer 
might stumble upon the entrance ; so we have caused 
this disposition of things to be made. If a stranger 
should, by any means, make his way hither, he would 
only find an old cavern, built for he could not tell 
what, and given up to reptiles and wild beasts. He 
might think that he was the first who had explored the 
place for ages." 

Alaric said that he understood it ; and then they 
moved on. The way soon grew more narrow, and they 
were forced to move more slowly and carefully ; but 
ere long they stepped forth upon a broad shelf of rock^ 
and were in the open air. A winding, dubious way 
led them down to the foot of the mountain, and in a 


A Rise, and its Consequences. 


121 


few moments more Alaric recognized the path which 
led him tip towards the hermit's cave. It was a clear, 
bright evening, and they walked leisurely along, con- 
versing as they went, and in due time they reached the 
cave in safety. An hour was spent in conversation, 
mostly upon subjects of the past, and then they retired 
for the night, the youth being conducted to an inner 
branch of the cavern, where a couch of leopard-skins 
was prepared. 

Alaric had much to think of — so much that he could 
think clearly upon no one point, and after getting 
thoroughly entangled in his mind, he fell asleep. How 
long he had slept he could not tell, though he seemed to 
have rested some time, when he was aroused by hearing 
a footstep in the outer cave ; and as he raised himself 
upon his elbow he heard some one call the name of 
Artabanus. The voice was quick and eager, as though 
urged by dire necessity, and the youth sprang from his 
couch and hurried out, and as he reached the outer 
apartment he could just distinguish the outlines of a 
man standing at the entrance. He was upon the point 
of speaking, when the hermit appeared, bearing a lighted 
torch in his hand, and Alaric then recognized the new- 
comer to be one of the men whom he had seen within 
the mystic chambers of the temple. 

‘‘ How now, Marco ?" asked Artabanus. Why hast 
thou come up at this strange hour ?” 

“ Are we alone T returned the man. 

‘‘ None are here who may not hear what thou hast to 
communicate." 

‘‘ Thy presence is needed at the temple immediately," 
said the messenger, in hurried tones. ‘‘ There is sus- 
picion afloat, and a blow has fallen !" 

“A blow ! Speak, Marco, what mean you ?" 

‘‘ Alas ! master, a brother has been called upon to 


122 


A larzc. 


sacrifice his life rather than betray his companions. 
Good Proteus has fallen 
The silversmith V* 

“Yes.” 

“ But how ?” 

“ He was returning home from the temple a few 
hours since, in company with the craftsmen who are 
servitors at the royal palace. The king's lieutenant, 
Leos, with a party of soldiers, having recognized the 
garbs of the members of the royal household, and being 
anxious to ascertain what they did in the public streets 
at that late hour, laid in wait, and made an attempt to 
arrest them ; but those whom they were most anxious 
to secure made good their escape, while Proteus, being 
well advanced in years, alone fell into their hands. The 
lieutenant demanded of him the names of his com- 
panions, but he would not give them. He was then 
taken to the guard-house, and upon his still refusing to 
answer, he was stripped naked from the waist up, and 
lashed to a pillar, with his arms bound behind him. 
Then a sharp spear was presented to his bared bosom, 
and an answer again demanded. Repeated demands 
were as repeatedly refused, even after the flesh was 
pierced, and finally the cruel steel was driven to his 
heart !” 

“ Is this thing so ?” asked Artabanus, in a husky, trem- 
ulous voice. 

“ Yes, master. It happened since midnight, and new^s 
was at once brought to us. Pythion is anxious to see 
you, and the others demand your counsel.” 

“ Alas, poor Proteus ! He was one of our noblest 
men, one most worthy ! But there shall be a reckoning 
for this. Alaric,” the old man added, turning to the 
youth, and speaking with unusual depth and strength 
“ the hour draws nigh in which thou shalt give report 


A RtsCy and its Conseque7ices, 


123 


of a charge committed to thee by heaven ! Marco, 
what is the hour T 

It lacks not more than an hour of daybreak/' 

Then I will hasten down with thee. I think, how- 
ever, that I shall only counsel perfect quietness for 
awhile. The hour is not yet come. Alaric, thou hadst 
best remain here until I return." 

‘‘ I will do so." 

“ And thou wilt not venture far away ?" 

No, father. I will be very careful. Thou shalt find 
me here when thou returnest." 

In a few minutes Artabanus was ready to set out, and 
when Alaric was left alone, he returned to his couch, 
but he could not sleep. The thought of the old silver- 
smith's death had so wrought upon his feelings, that 
further repose was out of the question, and he put on 
his mantle and walked out upon the plateau in front of 
the cave, where he paced up and down until the sun 
arose from the bosom of the sea. He then went in and 
prepared a meal for himself, and having eaten this, he 
found entertainmerft for a while over an old manuscript 
which the hermit had left. 

The sun had been up two hours, and yet the old tutor 
did not return. Alaric paced up and down before the 
cave, ever and anon stopping to gaze off upon the dis- 
tant city, until he had become tired of this occupation, 
and finally he resolved to walk down the mountain and 
meet his old friend, having no doubt that Artabanus 
would soon return. He thought there could be no 
danger. He would not venture upon the highway — he 
would only keep the path, and wait, if need be, for his 
host. He buckled on his sword, and taking a stout 
oaken staff in his hand, he set forth. He pursued his 
way down the rugged descent slowly and easily, ponder- 
ing and talking with himself as he went, and at last 


124 


A larzc. 


reached the foot of the motintain. Here he sat down 
for a little while, and knocked the small stones about 
with the end of his staff. 

The sea was only a short distance oft, and as the 
sounds of the murmuring waves broke upon his ear, he 
fancied that he should like to go down and snuff up the 
invigorating atmosphere from the briny water. He 
could go and return before Artabanus would come. If 
he gave the thought of danger a place in his mind, it 
was only for a moment, and under very light considera- 
tion at that. The point where he would strike the shore 
was at some distance from the city, and a place not 
much frequented. The path by which he had come 
down from the little stream, where it leaped along the 
side of the mountain, was not the one that led by Gly- 
con’s cot, the latter being further to the south, and 
striking the coast some two miles distant from where 
he now was. 

The youth gave one more look in the direction from 
which Artabanus was to come, and as he did not see 
him., he arose and moved toward the sea. It was only 
along at the foot of a low cliff — then among a mass of 
detached rocks — then through a straggling copse of 
stunted bushes and trees — and he stood upon the sandy 
shore of the sea. He had just reached this point, and 
had stopped to gaze off upon the boundless expanse of 
water, when a sudden exclamation close at hand startled 
him from his reverie. He gazed around and saw four 
soldiers, who had been standing beneath the shade of a 
cypress tree. He had come out so near to them that 
they could have reached him with their spears as he 
passed them, but they had evidently suffered him to go 
on that they might observe him, more closely. As they 
started to approach him, his first thought was of flight ; 
but he could not regain the path, for they had stepped 


A Rise, and its Consequences. 


125 


into his way, so he resolved, if there was danger, to face 
it. He cast his eyes quickly about him to assure him- 
self that there were no more at hand, and then he faced 
the armed men who had interrupted him. 

“ It is he !’' said one of the soldiers to another, as our 
hero turned his face towards them. 

‘‘ It is, most surely,** was the response. 

Is it of me you speak ?” asked Alaric. 

“ Yes,** replied he who seemed to be the leader of the 
squad. 

“ And what say ye of me ?’* 

‘‘ That thou art one of whom we are in search, and 
we call upon thee, in the king*s name, to surrender.’* 

“ Surrender ?** repeated Alaric, as though he were 
greatly surprised. “ And for what ?** 

“ Thou knowst very well for what. But mark ye : 
We know how thou didst escape from the palace, and 
how, with some assistance, thou didst dispose of the 
lieutenant, Fingal ; and, furthermore, we know that by 
some extraordinary means thou hast got out from the 
city, but thou art now our prisoner. Thou canst not 
hope to escape us. So wilt thou surrender quietly ?** 

Alaric hesitated only for a moment. If he surrendered, 
his chances of life were less than they would be in an 
engagement with the men before him, so he answered : 

I know of no authority which can command me a 
prisoner, and I shall not surrender myself as such.” 

Why — fool ! We shall kill thee on the spot if thou 
art stubborn.** 

“ And what will your king do if he gains me into his 
power ?** returned Alaric. He did not deny his identity, 
for he believed the soldiers knew him well enough. 

“ That is none of our business,** said the leader of the 
gang. Our business is to arrest thee^ which we shall 
straightway do/* 


126 


Alaric, 


‘‘ Then do it,” returned the youth, drawing his sword, 
and still retaining the stout staff in his left hand. 

“ Dead or alive !' our orders were,” explained the 
officer. 

“ Ycu’U take me dead if you take me at all.” 

At this the leader, as though in a fit of rage, threw 
his spear, but Alaric had no trouble in dodging it ; but 
he did find trouble quickly afterwards, for while the 
first rushed upon him with his drawn sword, the other 
three pressed forward with their pointed spears, though, 
fortunately, they did not immediately thrust with them, 
seeming to hope that their close proximity to his breast 
would intimidate him, and lead him to surrender. But 
they were doomed to disappointment ; Alaric saw, from 
their very look, that these three meant to take him alive 
if possible, so he directed his special attention, for a 
moment, to their leader, who had already prepared for 
a furious thrust at his bosom. He knocked the blow 
down with his staff, and then with a quick, strong arm, 
drove his sword through the fellow’s neck, and instantly 
afterwards forced him back by planting one foot in the 
pit of his stomach. 

The man fell backward, and this was a signal for his 
companions to go at the work in earnest, and they did so. 

“ Surrender, or we shall take your life !” cried one of 
them. 

But Alaric made no answer save by striking down the 
point of one spear and leaping away from the thrust of 
another. The soldiers had now become fierce and reso- 
lute, and they set upon him without further parley. He 
found his stout staff of great service to him in such a 
conflict, for by it he was enabled to knock down many 
blows which he might not otherwise have avoided. At 
length he delt one man a blow upon the neck which 


A Rise, and its Consequences. 


127 


laid him sprawling upon the sand, but at the same 
moment he received a wound under the left arm. He 
felt the sharp steel enter his flesh, and he knew that 
the wound must be a dangerous one. He might soon 
grow weak from loss of blood, and then his fate would 
be sealed. This thought nerved him up to greater 
power, and he met the two remaining men with the 
purpose of making quick work of it. He dodged 
around in a circle until he got them separated, and then 
as quick as thought, he turned upon the one nearest to 
him, knocked away his spear-point, and ran him 
through the body. In a moment more he met the 
other ; he felt his own arm growing weak, but a thought 
of the tyrant’s purpose — a thought of lanthe — sent the 
thrill of power along his nerves, and the last soldier 
quickly rolled upon the sand with his head split clean 
open between the ears. 

Alaric saw that his enemies were all dead, and with a 
quick step he turned towards the mountain. But the 
quickness of movement was soon gone. The extra- 
ordinary excitement had been lifted from him, and he 
now felt all his weakness. O ! could he not reach the 
cave ! Or — if not so, could he not at least reach a point 
where Artabanus would find him. He struggled on ; 
he staggered as one who is drunk with much wine — he 
reeled like a tree that is riven by the hurricane — he 
grew sick and faint at heart — his vision became dim 
and obscured, and his brain seemed to whirl in circles 
which grew less and less. He raised his eyes toward 
the mountain, but all was dark as night — he stretched 
forth his hands, as though for help, and fell forward 
upon his face ere yet he had reached the cypress wood. 
There was a vision before him, apparent to his senses, 
of the king, of the temple, of the mystic brotherhood — 


128 


A laiHc. 


fading, fading — till one sweet face was left, and with 
the name of lanthe trembling upon his nerveless lips 
utter oblivion fell upon him. 


♦ 


CHAPTER XIII. 

IN A STRANGE LAND, AND A STRANGE FATE, 

When consciousness returned Alaric found himself 
upon a soft couch, and as he attempted to move he dis- 
covered that he was bound in his place. For a while he 
had only a shadowy perception of things, either present 
or past, but gradually his mind arose from the chaotic 
gloom, and he finally remembered where he had been. 
At first, in his disturbed imagination, it seemed as though 
he were at sea, and on his way from Corinth to Sicily. 
But he remembered that he had made that passage, and 
that he had reached his destination in safety. He had 
entered the city of Syracuse, and the tyrant king had 
seized upon him. Was he now in the royal dungeon ? No. 
He had escaped thence, and found refuge in the Temple 
of Diana. Was he upon some soft bed prepared by the 
priests of the Mystic Tie, and undergoing yet the ordeal 
of his matriculation? No. He had passed all that, and 
had left the temple by a secret way, and returned with the 
old hermit to his cave. Now his thoughts became more 
clear. He. remembered the mission of the messenger 
from the temple; the departure of Artabanus; his lone- 
liness upon the mountain; his descent thereof; his com- 
ing upon the sea-shore; his meeting with the king’s sol- 
diers, and his battle with them. And here the cloud 
settled down upon his memory. He knew that he had 


In a Strange Land, 


i^g 


slain his antagonists, and that he himself had been 
wounded, and he had a faint recollection of struggling 
towards the mountain after his work had been done; 
but whether he had reached the cave, or whether he 
had fallen by the way, he could not tell. 

Again the youth tried to move, and again he perceived 
that he was bound. He was now able to take some 
note of things about him, and his first realization next 
after the restraint upon his limbs was that he was 
swayed to and fro with a ceaseless, uneven motion. At 
first he had thought that this might be the effect of 
some hallucination consequent upon the injuries he had 
received ; but he now concluded that he was upon the 
sea; and as his observations extended he had assurance 
upon this point. He was in a narrow, low apartment, 
which was excessively filthy and dirty, and the light to 
which came from an open scuttle overhead, from which 
descended a rough ladder. It was a compartment of 
the hold of a ship. The motion was now painfully pal- 
pable to him, and he could hear the water as it dashed 
against the outside. He closed his eyes^ and then 
recalled the circumstances which had just passed 
through his mind, for it seemed as though it must be a 
troubled dream, after all. It was too strange, too 
fraught with momentous events, too full of marvelous 
adventure, to meet his reason as being all real. But he 
could not cast it from him. He assured himself that he 
was now awake, and all the rest followed as a matter of 
course. 

As soon as his mind was clear upon this point, he 
turned his attention to his present situation. He could 
discover that he was upon a low cot, or couch, upon 
which were soft cushions, and that he was bound to it 
by broad bands of cloth passing over his legs and 
breast. He felt the pain of the wound under his arm, 


130 


A lark. 


and he could feel that it had been thickly swathed. 
There was a dull, sinking sensation about the heart, 
and a sense of pain in the head and left shoulder, and 
in the left breast. At length he called for help. He 
called loudly, and the effort not only cost him much 
labor but it sent a throbbing pain through his system, 
and produced feverish heat all over his body. In a little 
while a man came down the ladder. He was a coarse, 
rough-looking fellow clad in a seaman’s garb and wore 
a short sword suspended by the wide belt that confined 
his dirty tunic. 

‘‘Have you come to your senses ?” he asked, as he 
approached the cot upon which our hero lay. 

“ Yes,” replied Alaric. “ And where am I ?” 

“ Can’t you guess where you are ?” 

“ I think I am on the sea.” 

“You’ve guessed right there, my master. You are 
on the sea and in good hands.” 

“ But how came I here ? Whither am I going .’” 

“You came hither because we brought you,” replied 
the man, sitting down upon the floor as he spoke. “ We 
were upon the coast near Syracuse, and as we walked 
along we found the dead bodies of four soldiers. We 
overhauled them until we were satisfied there was no 
life in them, and while we were wondering how they 
had been slain, one of my men discovered you, my 
master. You were close by the trees spread out flat on 
your face, and at first we thought you, too, were dead ; 
but we saw that blood was trickling from a wound under 
your left arm, and upon feeling we found that there 
was warmth about the heart. Some of my fellows pro- 
posed that we should leave you, but I thought a live 
man was better than a dead one, and I had you carried 
to my boat. Some soldiers gave us chase just as we 
reached the water’s edge, but we escaped them, and got 


In a Strange Land. 


^31 


you safely on board the ship. And here you are, not so 
sound as you might be, but safe from dying on the hot 
sand.’* 

‘‘ You have not told me whither you are carrying me,” 
said Alaric, after a pause of some moments. 

“ Why, we shall have to carry you wherever we go, 
I suppose,” replied the sailor, evasively. 

But you know where you are going ?” 

‘‘ We may strike the shores of Carthage. We point 
that way now.” 

The youth wished to ask many more questions, but 
the pain had grown more intense in his head, and there 
was a faintness overcoming him. 

‘‘ I cannot escape,” he murmured ; why have you 
bound me ?” 

Why, bless your soul, how else should we have kept 
you in your place ? You’d roll off every minute if you 
were left free to go with the motion of the ship. But 
you feel worse. Does the bandage pain you ?” 

“ I am faint — my head swims,” replied Alaric, striving 
to recover himself. 

That’s the result of the labor you have been at to 
find out where you were. But we’ll do the best we can 
for you. We are used to taking care of wounds.” 

Thus speaking the man went to the foot of the ladder 
and called to someone on deck, and shortly a second one 
of the crew came down. He was clad the same as his 
companion, and was also armed. The thought flitted 
through the youth’s mind that he was on board one of 
the pirate vessels of the Carthaginians, of which he had 
heard so much, but he had become too faint to make 
further inquiries. He knew that the bandage was taken 
from his body, and that the straps of cloth were loosened, 
and that he was raised higher up ; and he could hear 
the two men talk as they came to the wound, but gradu- 


132 


A laric. 


ally their conversation sounded strangely in his ear, 
things swam in his vision, his head reeled, and he sank 
back again into insensibility. And now followed long 
days of pain and anguish, of alternate light and dark- 
ness, of seasons of rest and unrest. Rough men nursed 
him and lifted him about, the wind and the tempest 
howled in his ears, and the huge seas beat over and 
drenched him. There were moments of lucid thought, 
then followed strange phantasies and paroxysms. The 
blood leaped wildly and hotly through his veins for a 
season, then followed faintness and cold as though the 
avenues of his system were all frozen up. A while he 
was upon the sea — the wind, and the tempest, and the 
drenching rain were there — and then he was borne 
upon land. Strange voices sounded in his ear, strange 
visions flitted before him. 

And so passed the days, for how long he could not 
tell until reason, once more dawned upon him. He 
awoke, as from a long and terrible dream, and found 
himself upon a low bed, within a small apartment, with 
an open window close by his side. The sweet perfume 
from a thousand flowers and fragrant shrubs was waft- 
ing in upon him, and the atmosphere was warm and 
soft. He raised himself upon his elbow, and gazed out 
from the window. He could see a broad garden stretch- 
ing away to the foot of a gentle hill, filled with vines, 
and fruit-trees, and flowering shrubs. There were 
arbors and fountains, and he saw people in the distance 
walking, who wore strange garbs. By and by a door of 
lattice-work was opened, and an old woman entered. 
She was dark of complexion, as though reared 
beneath the rays of a scorching sun, and her 
simple dress of white linen was scant and poor. She 
stopped when she saw the youth upon his elbow, and a 
look of satisfaction dwelt upon her face» 


In a Strange Land. 


133 


Ha ! Alaric is better/' she said, with a strange 
idiom in her speech. 

‘‘ Am I among friends ?" our hero quickly asked. 

You have been cared for," was the reply. 

‘‘ But you know me." 

Oho ? dost wonder at that ? Thou hast told of thy- 
self enough, methinks, for us to know thee." 

I have been sick." 

And thy tongue has had no guide," added the 
woman. 

“ Have I been sick for a long time ?" 

For the full passage of a moon. The moon was 
well-nigh waned when they brought^ thee hither, and 
another has well-nigh followed it." 

And I have lain here all this time ?" 

Thou hast." 

And thou hast attended me ?" 

I, together with others. But thou surely hast thy 
reason now," the women said, moving nearer to the 
cot and gazing sharply into the invalid’s face. The 
wildness has left thine eye, and thy lips have assumed 
the color of the pomegranate." 

“ I have my senses perfectly," returned Alaric, sink- 
ing back upon his pillow ; for he was weak, and the 
effort he had made had fatigued him. ‘‘And now, wilt 
thou tell me where I am ?" 

The woman hesitated, and finally answered by ask- 
ing : 

“ Hast thou spoken the truth in thy ravings when 
thou saidst thou hadst been a child of misfortune, 
though not by birth of humble station ?’ ’ 

“ I have been most unfortunate, as my present posi- 
tion amply proves," said Alaric, “but as to my birth — I 
was born as others are born. Where did I say I was 
born ?” 


134 


A laric. 


Ii] many places. Once, in Corinth ; once, in 
Sicily ; and then yon said in Athens.’' 

Then never mind my birth-place, for it cannot mat- 
ter to any human being now. Tell me where I am.” 

Wert thou ever in Carthage ?” 

No.” 

Then know that thou art in Carthage now, and 
close upon the coast.” 

In the great city T 

No. The great city is some leagues distant. Thou 
art to the east of there, upon the shore which faces the 
rising sun. But I will answer no more questions now, 
for thou art very weak, and already thou showest 
fatigue. My name is Numa.” 

‘‘ And art thou mistress here ?” 

Me ?” echoed the woman in surprise. Good 
spirits, no. I am but a servant here. My master is 
called Torus, the vine-grower. To him belongs the 
place. Thou wert brought hither by a ship, and my 
master took thee out of pity — so he said.” 

The woman soon went away, and shortly afterwards a 
man entered, bearing a box in his hand. He proved to be 
a physician, and when Alaric sought to question him he 
only shook his head and stroked his beard with a 
mysterious air, and bade him remain quiet if he 
would live. 

Thou wert as one in the grave when I first saw j 
thee,” he said, and thy life was gone ; but by my 
power I returned it unto thee. Let not thine own j 
indiscretion sink thee a second time !” ^ 

The youth quickly saw that there was nothing to be 
gained from this man of information, so he quietly i 
submitted to his manipulations, which were of a highly 
physical character. But the patient cared not how ; 
iiauch magic the man performed over him, so long as i 


In a Strange Land. 


135 


his drugs were potent, and his prescriptions of diet 
healthful and invigorating. 

Six days passed away from the time of the return of 
Alaric’s reason, and he had gained rapidly. He was 
able now to sit up, -and, by the help of a staff, he could 
walk some. He had been out into the garden once, 
and from thence he could look off upon the distant sea. 
He found, also, that the house of Torus was an exten- 
sive one, and that there were many out-buildings, some 
of which were constructed in the highest perfection of 
art. The domain was situated in a deep valley, and as 
far as his eye could reach he saw the grape-vines creep- 
ing over the trellices and hedges, and up into the trees, 
and upon the buildings. He saw many men at work — 
some of the Ethip skin, and others of fairer face. It 
was all beautiful, but it could afford him no pleasure. 
Aside from the memories of the past which afforded him 
so much food for mental pain, there were causes for 
alarm in the present. Of late he had questioned Numa 
more closely, and she had refused to answer him with- 
out even a pretext for such a refusal. He had strange 
thoughts of the character of his present position, and 
the old woman seemed to comprehend the drift of his 
suspicions, for she shook her head most emphatically, 
and told him that he must not ask her such questions. 

.At length, Alaric was strong enough to walk as he 
pleased, and the physician said he was well. He sat in 
the little room where his bed was, engaged in his own 
thoughts, when he heard a step by his side, and upon 
looking up he beheld a man, with a dark face, and 
long beard of a jetty blackness, and clothed in apparel 
of rare fabric and workmanship. In frame he was 
large and powerful, and, in feature, stern and com- 
manding. 

“ So thou hast recovered, it seems.*' 


136 


Alarzc. 


Thus spoke the wealthy vine-grower as he stood and 
gazed upon the youth. There was no sympathy in his i 
tone — no friendliness — no such tone as Alaric had 
expected from the man under whose roof he had been j 
so carefully nursed and attended ; but he spoke rather | 
with a chilling voice, and sternly. i 

“ I am well-nigh recovered, kind sir,” replied our ' 
hero, thinking that the man’s manner of speech might i 
be peculiar to him ; “ and I trust that I may at some j 
time have the opportunity to prove my gratitude. I 
think I speak to the owner of this domain.” 

You do.” 

And wilt thou tell me, good sir, how I came here, i 
and why ?” 

“ Thou wert brought by a ship ; and you were left 
here because I made a bargain with the captain to that 
effect. He found thee dying. He carried thee on 
board his ship, and nursed thee until he dcilivered thee 
here. My physician said he could cure thee, and so 
I took thee.” 

These last words struck with a painful, whelming 
force upon the soul of the youth. 

‘‘And if I could not have been cured, thou wouldst 
not have taken me ?” he said hoarsely and tremulously. 

“ Of course not. Why should I ? J. want no dead 
men in my vineyard.” 

“ And I am—” 

“ My bondman ! I bought thee of the captain.” 

The vision had not been false ! With a deep groan 
Alaric sank down, and buried his face in his hands. 
He was a bondman in a strange land, with no home and 
no kindred, and the will of a master was to be his law. 

“ Oh !” he cried, in his utter agony of spirit, “ why 
did not the spear-head reach my heart ? And was it for 
this that I braved so many dangers 


Agrippa. 


137 


The vine-grower made no reply, but went out, leaving 
his bondman still bowed down with the great agony that 
had come upon him, trusting, no doubt, that time would 
heal the wounded spirit as it had the wounded flesh. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

AGRIPPA. 

lanthe had no need to stretch her imagination much 
in order to bring to mind cause for greatest alarm. In 
, fact, every circumstance, past and present, contributed 
I to enhance her fears, and let her thoughts dwell where 
they would, only phantoms of threatening aspect arose 
before her. If she called up the days of her childhood, 
there hung over them the deep vail of mystery which 
she could not penetrate, and which seemed to shut the 
sunlight out even from those times of innocence. If 
she thought of maturing years she only remembered 
how she had been guarded, and how even her liberty 
had been sacrificed to this same mystic vail. If she 
thought of Alaric, it was only that he might be the 
Prisoner, or the victim, of a merciless tyrant If she 
{thought of Bellerus, whom she still called father, and 
Who was, in truth, a father to her, it was only to remem- 
ber his parting words, so full of sadness and gloom, and 
! p see again the look of pain that marked his noble face 
When last he turned from her. If she thought of the 
j png her fears all reached their climax, and imagination 
r Itood appalled before the terrible possibilities. 

It had been three days since she had seen the monarch 
and four days since she had seen her father. During 


138 


Alartc. 


that time not one of her own sex had been present with 
her, but only the black eunuch waited upon her. Once 
she had ventured to ask him how long she was to 
remain there ; but his answer had been evasive, and 
she had asked him no more. He looked well to her 
physical comfort, and seemed ever ready to obey her in 
all things not conflicting with the duties he owed to hi| 
master. She had a comfortable suite of apartment! 
but they were only a prison, after all. Beyond theil 
walls she could not move, for bolts, and bars, and stern 
stout guards were in her way. 

She sat in the outer room of her suite, close by I 
window over which crept a cluster of flowering vines, 
and the last rays of the setting sun were lingerin] 
amid the foliage. She had just thrown the casemeni 
further open, when she heard a footfall behind hel 
and on turning she beheld the king. A sudden faint 
ness overcame her for the moment, resulting from thi: 
quick throbbing of her heart, for she had been thinkin|| 
of the monarch, and was just trying to drive his imagi 
from her mind, when he thus presented himself. 

I hope I find the lady lanthe well this evening,! 
Pyrrho said, in a smooth tone. 1 

Should she hide her real feelings, and tell a lie, oi 
should she speak as she felt ? She might be guarded ij 
her speech, but she would not be false. So thought thi 
maiden as she replied : 

“ I am far from well in mind, sire.** I 

There must be seasons when we all have trials d 
mind, sweet lady,’* the king responded. Such is thi 
lot of humanity. But I trust that you have found youi 
outward comfort well cared for.** I 

I have no cause for complaint on that score, sirf 
save that I have been deprived of my liberty.*’ | 

And even liberty, lady, is but a name. Who ha* 


Agrtppa. 


139 


perfect liberty ? We have all certain restraints put 
upon us, which are rendered necessary by the very 
organization of society. We are all the slaves of neces- 
sity, and must bow to the will of nature. The slave 
does not breathe who has more restraints put upon him 
than have I. Think not of mere physical liberty while 
there are so many things to be secured of vastly greater 
importance.*' 

I have not seen my father, sire. You said you would 
conduct me to him." 

You speak of Bellerus?" 

“ Yes. He is my father." 

Dost really think he is ?" asked the king, gazing 
sharply into her face. He noticed how she hesitated, 
and how she was confused ; but she finally answered : 

He has been my father." 

But thou knowest that he is not thy father by any 
line of blood ?’* 

" He may not be.** 

But do you not know f * 

I know nothing at all about it. If Bellerus is not in 
reality my father, I only know that he has ever given to 
me a father’s care and a father’s love, and he is the only 
father I ever knew." 

“ Tell me, lady," pursued Pyrrho, gazing more sharply 
than before into the maiden’s face, “ hast thou no knowl- 
edge whatever of thy parentage ?** 

Not beyond him whom I now call father." 

Surely there was no deception in that sweet face. 
The image of truth was palpable there, and the king 
seemed so to feel, for he appeared to be satisfied upon a 
point which, but a moment before, had threatened to 
worry him. 

“ I had imagined," he said, ‘^that thou wert an orphan, 
and as such I had pity on thee.’* 


Alartc. 


140 


‘‘ Then thou wilt allow me to return to Bellerus ?” 

“ Ah, lady,"' the monarch replied, with a shake of the 
head, and assuming a solemn look, “ good old Bellerus 
knows too well what is for thy good to suffer thee to 
leave this place. Hast thou thought any upon the sub- 
ject of which I have before spoken to thee ?” 

‘‘ Sire, in mercy, do not think of that again !” cried 
lanthe, starting impulsively from her seat, and clasping 
her hands together. 

^‘Not think of it? Why, I have thought of nothing 
else since first the idea entered my mind, nor can I think 
of anything else. Sweet maiden, thou must be mine !” 

“ No, no, sire ! You said you had pity on me.’* 

And so I have.” 

Then, in pity, release me from such a fate.*’ 

Wert thou alone to be considered, lady, I might do 
it, but remember, I have pity on myself as well. I have 
a care for my own heart, and cannot see it crushed. It 
has been decided, as I have said, and thou art to be my 
queen.” 

‘‘ Oh ! sire ! In mercy say not so !” 

“ I have said it, and the word is gone forth.” 

‘‘ No, no — it cannot — it shall not be ! I can never be 
your queen !” 

Thou dost but waste words, lanthe. I have spoken 
it, and no power can swerve me from my course.” 

‘‘ My father ! O, my father ! Let me see him !” 

Do you still speak of Bellerus ?” 

Aye, of him to whom thou saidst I should return.” 

Then know that Bellerus is dead !” 

“ Dead !” shrieked the maiden, starting to her feet. 

He is not dead ! O, tell me not that !” 

I tell thee he is dead !” 

‘‘ And thou didst murder him !” lanthe cried, starting 
back as though from a poisonous serpent. 


A grip pa. 


141 


“ Not so, fair one. I would have saved him if it had 
lain in my power. My soldiers were sent out in search 
of the bold youth Alaric, whom I wished much to ques- 
tion. They met him near one of the gates, and Bellerus 
was with him. The two were commanded to stop, but 
they refused. Thereupon the soldiers declared their 
authority, announcing that they acted in the name of 
the king, and they supposed that the twain would 
immediately surrender, but they did not so. Both Alaric 
and Bellerus made opposition, thereby throwing the 
royal guard back upon their own defense, and in the end 
they were slain.’* 

“ Alaric and Bellerus were slain ?’* 

“Yes, both.** 

“ Both ! both !** gasped the stricken girl, shrinking 
back and covering her face. “ O, no !’* she added, in a 
spasmodic tone, starting again to her feet, and stretch- 
ing forth her hands imploringly to the king, “ it cannot 
be ! They are not dead ! There is no need that yovi 
should deceive me. You have power enough without 
that. Say that they are not dead ! O ! say that they 
are not !” 

“ I could not say so and tell the truth, for they are 
both in the land of shadows. So thou hast no other 
home but this, arid here thou hadst better make thyself 
contented.” 

“ Contented !*’ cried lanthe, supported for the moment 
by the contempt she felt for the tyrant before her. “ Be 
contented here — in this palace — and with the thought 
ever present which thou wouldst force upon me ! O, 
thou canst know little of a true heart. If they are dead, 
their blood is upon thee.” 

“ Nay, fair lady, thou shouldst not so defame him who 
is to be thy lord and husband.’* 

“ Thou my husband I O, may death come and claim 


Alartc. 


142 


me, too, ere that consummation is done ! I tell thee, 
king*, I will not be thine 

“ Now, sweet one,'* resumed the monarch, with a dev- 
ilish look, thou dost put me upon my authority, and I 
tell thee plainly thou shalt be what I have promised. 
And mark you — the time shall not be long. Ere another 
week has passed, lanthe shall be my queen ! I swear 
it, by all the gods of heaven and of earth, and the power 
exists not that can thwart me in my purpose ! Now, 
maiden, thou canst reflect upon it at thy leisure. I sim- 
ply give thee the fate that is thine — marked out for thee 
plainly — and from which thou canst not escape, and thou 
mayest ponder upon it as thou wilt. Only let me say 
this : Thy peace and comfort in time to come mayj 
depend much upon the disposition which is manifestedj 
now. I trust you understand me. Yet, lanthe, I willj 
be kind to thee, if thou shalt show thyself deserving of 
my kindness. I wish so to be, if thou wilt only permit 
it. So do not misunderstand me. The case stands sim- 
ply thus : Thou must be my queen ! So far it is fixed 
as firmly as any decree of Jupiter. But beyond that it 
rests much with thee. I need say no more.” 

“ Thou givest me a fatal favor !” the maiden said, 
sinking down, and pressing her folded hands upon her 
bosom. “ I ask for life as the only boon worth having, 
and thou kindly offerest me the choice of means by 
which I must die. I say to thee now, king, if thou . 
makest me thy wife, thou shalt wed but a lump of clay ll 
So I care not for the joys or sorrows beyond it.” | 

Thou wilt think better of this when thou art more’ 
cool, so I will leave thee to thine own reflections.” 

With this the king turned and left the apartment, and 
when lanthe was alone she leaped to her feet, and raised 
her hands above her head. 

Never ! never !” she solemnly exclaimed. 


If my 


Agrippa. 


143 


father and Alaric be dead, I will join them ere I will be 
that man's queen ! If I should let my life forth myself, 
some kind hand would give me sepulchre. But he lies 
to me. If they be dead, he killed them. O ! so meant 
his strange words when he said he would lead me to 
Bellerus' arms ! And my father foresaw it all. When 
last he spoke to me, in this room, the thought of death 
was upon him, and ’twas that made him so sad. O ! it 
is all plain now. Did not the tyrant seek Alaric’s life 
in the most cruel manner ? Aye, he has murdered 
them ! And shall I be his wife ? Shall I place my 
hand within the one all red with my father’s blood > The 
gods defend me !” 

As she ceased speaking, she sank back upon the 
couch, and rested her brow upon her hands. Her 
thoughts were wild and confused, and a sense of pain 
was upon her heart. And even when she could control 
her thoughts, the pain was not lessened. She believed 
that both her father and Alaric were dead, and she had 
two good reasons for such belief besides the avowal of 
the king. First : she knew that, from circumstances 
which had transpired, Pyrrho must desire to have them 
removed. And second : she knew that the tyrant never 
hesitated at any work of blood, if it pleased him to 
have it done. 

And if they were gone, she was indeed without a 
home! Where were her friends? Upon whom could 
she call ? Alas ! there were none ! It was with this 
thought of utter loneliness and helplessness upon her 
that she allowed her head to sink upon the cushion of 
her couch, and her groans of despair to break forth. 
She lay there while the darkness crept over the palace 
and over the city — she lay there while the eunuch came 
in with her food, and noticed him not. He left a lamp 
burning upon the sideboard and went away without 


144 


A I arte. 


disturbing her. It was an hour after this, and she 
was upon the point of arising to close the casement, 
for the chill night air was coming in upon her, when she 
thought she heard her door softly opened. She looked 
around, and beheld a man of most strange appearance 
— it was a presence that filled her with both fear and 
awe. 

He was aged, and his hair, of snowy whiteness, hung 
low upon his shoulders, while his beard, of the same 
snowy hue, fioated far down upon his bosom. His 
form, which appeared large and of good proportions, 
was enveloped in a cloak or mantle of black, which was 
secured about the loins by a broad belt of gold. This 
mantle was wrought with strange characters upon the 
breast and upon the hem ; and like characters were 
engraved upon the golden belt. Upon his head he 
wore a hat such as the maiden had never before seen, 
its color being black like his robe, and its shape tall and 
pointed, like a cone. He advanced toward her with a 
slow step, and put forth his hand, as though he would 
have her keep silence. She could now see his eyes and 
his brow, and she thought he had a kind look. 

Let not my presence alarm thee, my child, he spoke, 
in a low, gentle tone, “ for I come to thee upon a mes- 
sage of mercy.'' 

How strange ! Had not she seen this man before t 
Had not that voice sounded upon her ear at some 
former time ? Or was it only a freak of her imagina- 
tion ? But she felt confidence in him at once. Perhaps 
it was natural that, in her then desolate situation, she 
should instinctively cling to the first opportunity of 
hope that presented itself ; but the human heart is not 
apt to reach forth after an unworthy object upon a 
natural impulse. Those impressions which first strike 
the man are most sure to be true ones. So lanthe felt 


Agrippa, 


H5 


a strong impression that this man would be trustful and 
faithful. She thought she saw it in his eye, and heard 
it in the tone of his voice. 

Has the king seen thee of late ?’* the visitor asked, 
as soon as he saw that he had secured the maiden’s 
attention. 

“ Yes, father. He was here but a short time since,” 
Had he any purpose in coming ?” 

lanthe hesitated. 

I ask for thine *own good, my child.” 

sir the poor girl cried, putting forth her folded 
hands, ‘‘ I cannot doubt thee ; and yet I would know 
thy mission — why thou hast come, and who thou art.” 

‘‘ lanthe, I have come to serve thee ; and if thou wilt 
trust in me thou shalt have help. Thou asketh who I 
am. Hast ever heard the name, Agrippa ?” 

‘‘ Agrippa,” repeated the maiden, at first thoughtfully, 
and then starting with sudden emotion at the idea as the 
thought came to her mind. ‘‘ Art thou the one of whom 
we have heard 

What hast thou heard ?” 

^‘We have heard of an Agrippa who is a priest of 
Diana at Abydos, and who has wondrous powers far 
exceeding the powers of men, and little inferior to the 
gods.” 

“ And have ye heard that Agrippa of Abydos was 
expected here ?” 

“ Yes, father, I have so heard.” 

“ Then wonder not when I tell thee that I am the 
priest of Diana, and that I am called Agrippa. I have 
wondrous powers, as many shall see. I must have 
exercised them now, or 1 should not have been here. 
But be not overawed, nor shrink from me. As true as the 
temple stands, I will help thee. Now tell me the king’s 
purpose.” 


146 


Alartc. 


He purposes to make me his wife/' replied the 
maiden. She spoke freely, for, with all the awe she 
naturally felt in the presence of one whose fame was so 
wondrous, she experienced a degree of confidence which 
gave her support. 

I thought as much," said Agrippa, taking a seat by 
the girl’s side. And now," he added, I wish to know 
if you have been able to judge why he pursues this 
course ?" 

lanthe thought a few moments, and then answered : 

I cannot judge with any clearness, for he has not 
been explicit." 

What I wish to arrive at is this : Has he seemed to 
fear you ? Has he shown any sign whereby you would 
be lead to infer that your appearance had surprised 
him ?" 

‘‘Aye, most surely have I," replied the maiden 
quickly. “ On the night when he first beheld my face 
he appeared like one affrighted ; and his minister, whom 
he called Donatus was affected in like manner. And 
he has gazed upon me most strangely since. He 
declares that Fate has determined that I should be his 
queen." 

“ Now I understand it," returned the priest, with a 
slight nodding of the head. “ But be under no appre- 
hensions. He shall not succeed." 

“And can you help me T* 

“ I can — and will." 

“You will take me from this place ?" 

“Not now. Thou wilt be more safe here for the 
present. Thou wilt be safest here until Pyrrho seeks to 
consummate his plan ; but that plan shall never be 
carried out, rest assured." 

“ Father," said lanthe, laying her hand upon his arm 


Agrtppa, 


147 


with a trembling touch, dost thou know one Bellerus, 
a mason T* 

“ I do.’’ 

“ Dost know where he is now ?” 

‘‘ Why do you ask ?” 

The king says he is dead.” 

The priest did not answer at once. He bowed his 
head, and for a little while he seemed to be thinking. 
Then he raised his eyes to the maiden’s face and taking 
the hand which had rested upon his arm, he said : 

I cannot tell thee where he is. I think the king 
meant him mortal harm ; and I know he has been 
within the royal power. But pass as lightly over that 
thought as thou canst.” 

“ Alas 1 then he is dead !” And the stricken girl 
would have fallen to weeping, had not Agrippa quietly 
added : 

Let thy thoughts rest upon what thou hast gained, 
and not upon that which thou hast lost. Think of the 
love which still surrounds thee, and not of the evil. 
Raise thine eyes to heaven, where Hope beams yet 
brightly, and not sink them downward, where Despair 
clanks its festering chains. I tell thee, lanthe, these 
are wondrous times, and thou hast an important part to 
play. He hopeful of good ; be pledged to duty ; and 
trust to heaven for the future !” 

Again the maiden was startled by the strange impres- 
sion that she conversed with one whom she had before 
known. A dim echo from the priest’s tones lingered 
among the shadowy recollections of by-gone times ; 
and the light that gleamed from his e^^es penetrated to 
her soul as some other eyelight had done. But these 
impressions did not prevent her from feeling the 
force of his words ; and so deeply did she feel it, that 
the current of her heart was stopped, and her hope 


148 


Alaric 


struggled to rise. But she had another question to ask, 
and her heart was hushed while she waited for the 
answer. 

‘^You have heard, perhaps, of a youth, named 
Alaric.” 

I have, my child.” 

‘‘ The king says he, too, is dead.” 

Then the king has lied to thee.” 

Ha ! and does Alaric still live ? Is he alive and 
well ? O ! tell me !” 

I will tell thee truly, lanthe. He fled from the city 
— he gained the country — I know not where he is now, 
but we hope he is safe.” 

It is enough !” ejaculated the fair girl, clasping her 
hands in gratitude. “ If he is safe, I have yet some 
hope of joy in the future.” 

“ And with this hope to comfort thee, and the assur- 
ance of safety I have given thee from the fear of the 
king, I must leave thee ; for I have business else- 
where.” 

But,” cried lanthe, starting up as the priest arose, 
“ I shall not remain here long ?” 

Not many days,” replied Agrippa. “ But,” he 
added, impressively, Have faith in what . I have told 
thee, and be assured that thou wilt remain here only so 
long as thine own good and safety are subserved 
thereby. Let come what will, know that thou hast 
friends who not only have the will, but the power, to 
serve thee. I may see thee again ere long.” 

With this the priest turned away, and was soon gone, 
lanthe had not the power to ask him more, for she was 
stricken with awe and wonder. As the first startling 
thrill of rising hope settled to a more calm spirit in her 
bosom, she could reflect upon the strange circumstances 
connected with this visit. She sat down and tried to 


149 


The King and the Oracle. 


think where and when she had seen the man before ; 
but she struggled with her memory in vain. She could 
dwell upon the palpable impression, as one does upon a 
by-gone dream, but she could do more. But she would 
trust him, nevertheless ; and, with all the confidence of 
her soul, she hung upon the promise he had given her. 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE KING AND THE ORACLE. 

The news was not long in spreading through the city 
that Agrippa, the famed Priest of Diana, of Abydos, 
was within the walls. His name had long been known 
and revered, and the people had expected his coming 
with much anxiety, for it was said that he spoke with 
the tongue of the gods, and could read all coming 
things. 

By and by it was reported that the great Agrippa 
was in the temple, and thither large numbers of people 
fiocked ; and when they saw him, they were filled with 
awe. His long, flowing beard of silvery whiteness had 
a superhuman appearance of itself ; and then the 
strange characters upon his sable robe, and the gleam- 
ing of his broad, precious belt ; and his deportment of 
wisdom and authority, all conspired to raise the super- 
stitious wonder of the people to the highest pitch. 
Many of them pressed forward and consulted him, and 
he gave them answers which more than surprised them 
— answers which confirmed them in the faith they had 
already entertained of his powers. 

There was one in Syracuse who heard of Agrippa’s 


Alaric. 


150 


coming with more than ordinary emotion. Pyrrho, 
the king, received the news, and was much moved 
thereby. There was much of the future which he 
would know, and he determined to consult this priest, 
who, it was said, could read the heavens, and translate 
all the language of the gods. So he called Claudian^ 
his captain, to him, and bade him go and conduct the 
wonderful man to the palace. In an hour the captain 
returned, but Agrippa came not with him. 

“ Where is the priest T' demanded Pyrrho, when he 
saw that his messenger had returned alone. 

Sire,” replied the captain, he seemed to deem it 
an indignity that thou shouldst have sent for him.” 

What ! will he not come ?” 

“ He says if you would see him, you must come to the 
temple.” 

“ By Jove, but he is bold and insolent.” 

‘‘ Ah, sire, he hath a wonderful power.” 

“ How ? Hast heard any of his sayings, Claudian ?” 

Yes. I heard him speak with several ; and he read 
to them the past of their lives as though from a written 
book. He knows all things.” 

‘‘ And he can read the future ?” 

Yes, sire. He reads it as one who speaks from sure 
knowledge.” 

Why will he not come hither ?” 

‘‘ He asked me where the king gave audience. I 
told him in the palace. Then he bade me tell my 
master that the Priest of Diana gave audience in Diana’s 
Temple.” 

‘‘ Well, there’s reason in it; and I shall seek him. 
Prepare my retinue, Claudian, and let me knew when 
it is ready.” 

The captain withdrew, and ere long return-ed and 
reported that all was ready. Pyrrho descended to the 


The King and the Oracle, 15 1 


court of the palace, and having mounted the . horse 
which had been caparisoned for him, he set forth. 
When he reached the square of the temple, the heralds 
went forward and prepared a way for him. At the 
gate he dismounted and the people fell back as he 
approached. He found the priest at the altar, and at 
once addressed him : 

Art thou Agrippa, the priest of Diana of Abydos T 

I am. And thou art Pyrrho, the king ?” 

Yes. I have come to consult thee, and I would 
crave a private audience.’’ 

Such I give to all who ask it,” replied Agrippa, 
resting his hand upon a pedestal, on the top of which 
was a small statue of Diana. “ Speak to me freely, and 
thou shalt know all that the gods are willing should be 
communicated.” 

‘‘ First,” said the king, in a tremulous tone, for he 
could not yet feel perfect power over himself. I 
would ask thee if there be any imminent danger near 
me.” 

Thou shouldst not need to ask that question of me,” 
Agrippa replied, almost sternly. Danger always sur* 
rounds a throne, and it is rendered imminent or distant 
by the acts of the monarch.” 

I know there is danger about me,” said the king. 

“ So do I,” added the priest 

And I think it is imminent,” pursued the former. 

I know it is,” responded the latter. 

Ha ! thou knowest ?” 

Yea.” 

And knowest thou its character ?” 

‘‘Yes.” 

“ What is it ?” 

“ The same as that which threatened many a usurper 
before thee.” 


152 


Alaric. 


How !” cried the king, in anger. “ Dost dare to 
speak thus to me ?’' 

“ I must speak truth while I speak ; and if thou 
wouldst hear aught else, thou shouldst have sought 
some other place than this.” 

But there may be words offensive to my ears.” 

“ Not half so offensive as is the thought of the danger 
thou wouldst avoid,” remarked the priest, in a meaning 
tone. 

The king started, and gazed sharply into the old 
man's face. 

‘‘ Wert thou ever in Syracuse before ?” he asked. 

Yes.” 

When ?” 

‘‘ When thou wert a child, and since thou wert a man. 
But I allowed thee this interview not to answer for 
myself, but for thee. If thou wouldst know of the 
things that concern thee, ask.” 

Again the monarch cast his eyes searchingly upon 
the priest, and gazed as one gazes who seeks to solve 
some deep problem ; but finally he gave up the thought 
and came back to the subject from which he had wan- 
dered in anger. 

I ask thee again — what is the danger which threat- 
ens me ?” 

A head without a body — a body without a head.” 

Death, you mean,” whispered Pyrrho. 

Yes.” 

And whence comes this danger ?” 

From those who have cause to fear you.” 

‘‘ By the heavenly crown, old man, they can be num- 
bered by thousands.” 

‘‘ And thy hope must be in those who love thee !” 
added Agrippa. 

“ Ah ! men in authority are not apt to be greatly 


The King and the Oracle. 


153 


loved/’ returned Pyrrho, uneasily. “ But a truce to 
this vague language. Thou knowest the danger, and 
thou knowest whence it cometh ?” 

Aye.” 

‘‘Then tell me where I may look for it.” 

“ It could not benefit thee to know, king, save that it 
cometh, as thou hast already spoken, from thousands. I 
can only tell thee how thou mayest surely avoid it.” 

“ Ha ! now thou speakest. Tell me ! Now.” 

“ Make thy escape as speedily as possible from 
Sicily !” 

“ Out upon thee ! Wouldst trifle with me ?” 

“ Nay, not so. I do but speak the truth.” 

“ I know better !” cried the king, forgetting himself 
in his anger. “ Thou dost mock me, old man !” 

“ Pyrrho,” spoke the priest, bending upon the mon- 
arch a stern, strange look, “ thou speakest as thou 
actest, with wisdom far from thy thoughts. But there 
is danger enough to threaten thee already without my 
punishing thee for thy impious speech. Yet I will 
open to thee more than thou hast asked for. The net is 
woven about thee, and the bird which thou hast thought 
might peck the meshes away cannot help thee.” 

“ Ha !” exclaimed the monarch, with a quick start. 
“ What meanest thou ?” 

“ I see,” pursued Agrippa, bowing his head, and 
pressing his right hand upon his brow, “ a fairer star 
than thine. It arises in thy heaven, and crosses thy 
course ; but in no way can they conjoin. The two 
must remain separate forever !” 

The king forgot his anger in a moment, and gazed 
upon the speaker with intense eagerness. 

“ Cannot conjoin,” he muttered. “ What is this star 
that follows mine, and will cross its course ?” 

“ It is now swerved from its true course, as though it 


154 


Alarzc. 


would meet and mingle with thine own ; but it cannot 
be/' 

Speak more plainly, I pray thee !" cried the eager 
monarch. What of the star ? Whose is it ?" 

“ I should say it was a maiden, young and fair ; and 
she is one wnom the gods will protect." 

‘‘ And does her star of destiny course on toward a 
throne ?" asked Pyrrho in a low, eager whisper. 

Why askest thou that ?" 

“ Because I would know." 

It has a most wondrous course," said the priest, 
again bowing his head, and speaking as though from 
revelations that were being gradually made to him. 

What is it ? Whither does it lead her .?" And as 
the king asked this, still in a half-hushed whisper, he 
worked his way to the astrologer. 

‘‘ ’Tis a throne !" said the old man, slowly lifting his 
head, and gazing into Pyrrho’s face. 

“ And shall she never be mine ? never come to me 
with her destiny?" the monarch asked, now wrought up 
to the highest pitch of excitement. 

“ It cannot be," the priest said, emphatically. The 
heavens do not lie." 

‘‘ Never ?" 

“ Never. Wouldst ask more ?" 

Not now ! not now," replied the king, speaking 
huskily and hastily. “ I have heard enough." And as 
he spoke he turned towards the door, which he opened 
himself. 

With quick, long strides the monarch hurried 
through the great court of the temple, and when he 
reached his horse he leaped into the saddle at a single 
bound. He spoke not a word to his attendants, but 
rode direct to his palace, and sought his private closet ; 
and having summoned a page, he sent for his chamber- 


The King and the O^^acle, 


155 


lain. He paced to and fro like a chafed beast while he 
was alone, and when his minister came he stopped, and 
gazed fixedly upon him. 

Donatus,'" he finally said, in hurried tones, whom 
should I trust if I could not trust thee V* 

Not one in all the world, sire,’' answered the 
chamberlain. He seemed a little uneasy at the king's 
strange look, but he spoke freely. 

‘‘ I wish I could see thy heart, Donatus." 

“ Here, sire, is my sword," readily replied the favor- 
ite, at the same time drawing his weapon, and extend- 
ing the hilt to his master, and here is my naked 
bosom. If there can be a wish in thy soul to prove me 
further than thou hast already done, see how calmly I 
^will give thee my very life in the proof." 

No, no, put up thy sword. I will not doubt thee. 
It were foolish in me to do so. But there be not many 
whom I can trust." 

I think thy chief officers are all faithful, vSire ; and 
even the soldiers are ready to serve thee." 

“ Aye, but how if my power over them were to weaken 1 
If they saw me falling, and thought they alone 
could save me, how many would put forth their hands 
for my salvation ? Aye, how many ? how many ? Ah, 
Donatus, but few ! but few ! But I will not fall ! I 
will seize upon the fate while it is in my hands ! I 
have seen the Priest of Diana — the great Agrippa of 
Abydos — and he has read what he thinks is my fate. 
He told me of lantbe." 

Ha ! Did he ?" 

Not by name, Donatus, not by name ; but he told 
me of her so plainly that a child could not have mis- 
taken the sign. He said there was a star — a fair and 
lovely one — that arose after mine, and would cross my 
path ; but he said it could never conjoin with mine. 


A laiAc, 


156 


He said ’twas the star of a maiden, young and fair ; 
and when I asked him if her star of destiny pointed 
towards a throne, he said it did. Then I asked him if 
her destiny could never be united with my own, and 
he said, nay. I asked him again, and he told me 
never !” 

This is wondrous,*' said the chamberlain. “ But 
dost think he reads the stars aright T 

I dare not question his power to read,’* replied the 
king. But, ‘‘he added, with a furious stamp of the 
foot, “ I dare question the power of the stars themselves 
to rule and bind me as they will !” 

“ Hush, sire !” spoke the minister, trembling with 
superstitious apprehension. “Thou art daring the 
power of the heavens !” 

“ I care not what I dare,” cried the king, still furi- 
ously. “ I dare assert my own right as monarch of 
this realm ; and I dare maintain that right even though 
ten thousand priests of Diana spoke their soothsome 
edicts against me ! And now, by the scepter of Jove, 
I’ll marry the maiden this very day — aye, within this 
very hour ! What thinkest thee'of that ?” 

“ Thou wilt do as it pleases thee,” replied Donatus, 
trembling. 

“ And it pleases me that the maiden’s star of destiny 
shall only meet in my path, and mingle with mine own. 
All the powers of heaven and earth shall not thwart me 
now. The priest told me enough. lanthe’s star points 
towards a throne, and my danger was, that she would 
not be mine. But she shall be ! I’ll raise her to the 
throne — thus fulfill her destiny, and save myself ! 
Donatus, go thou and call the chief officers of my realm, 
and bid them attend me in the great throne chamber. 
Make all haste — let not thy feet rust upon the pavement 
now.” 


A Fearful Peril 


^57 


When the chamberlain was gone, the king sent for the 
chief of the eunuchs, and the black slave soon made his 
appearance. 

“ Mestor,’' the monarch said, ‘‘ How is the lady 
lanthe ?” 

Well, sire ; and seemingly more contented.” 

“ Ah, does she mend in her way of sorrow ?” 

“ Aye, greatly, sire.” 

Then perhaps the thought of sharing my throne is 
not so terrible to her, after all. But, Mestor, go and bid 
her prepare to meet me ; and do thou bring her to me 
in this room within the next half hour.” 

Thou shalt be obeyed, sire.” 

Fail not, upon thy life. Conduct her thither, and 
alone.” When the king was once more alone he stamped 
his foot triumphantly, and strode forth as one who goes 
to victory. 

“Within the hour,” he cried, shaking his clenched 
hand aloft, “ I’ll prove that the soothsome priest, and 
his stars to boot, can be o’er matched by the Sicilian 
king !” 


CHAPTER XVI. 

A FEARFUL PERIL. 

lanthe felt so much confidence in the promise; of 
Agrippa that she had put away much of her fear, though 
she was far from feeling wholly safe while beneath the 
roof of the royal palace. She had become so used to the 
visits of the eunuch that his presence had ceased to 
frighten her ; but when he came in the middle of the 
afternoon — so much out of his usual time — she was 
startled, It must be some special business that brought 


A laric. 


158 


him, and of course he could come only from the king. 
She gazed quickly into his face, and she saw, from the 
expression upon his black features, that he was the 
bearer of some important matter. 

Lady,” he said advancing, and bowing with obse- 
quious reverence, thou wilt prepare to accompany me 
to the king.” 

Where is he T she asked, trying not to feel fright- 
ened. 

In one of his private apartments.” 

And why does he send for me ?” 

I know not. I only know that thou art to accom- 
pany me thither. So thou wilt prepare as quickly as 
may be.” 

But thou knowest the king’s mood.” 

^‘He is much as usual, lady, and is anxious to see 
thee. I would not advise thee to keep him waiting.” 

The maiden felt a premonition of approaching evil, 
but she dared not disobey, and she knew that disobedi- 
ence would be useless, so she made such prepara- 
tions as her simple opportunities afforded, and then 
informed the eunuch that she was ready to accompany 
him. He took her by the hand and led her from the 
chamber. She shuddered at his touch, and told him she 
could walk alone, but he said that he must conduct her 
as seemed best to him, and she made Ho further opposi- 
tion. He led her a long distance, through passages that 
were narrow and dark, and through halls where guards 
were posted, until finally he stopped before a door near 
which were two pages. To one of these he spoke, and ^ 
bade him inform the king that the lady lanthe was at 
hand. The messenger disappeared, and quicklv returned 
with an order for the eunuch to proceed. The door was 
opened — a short passage traversed — another door opened 
and passed, and lanthe found herself in the presence of 


A Fearful Peril. 


159 


the monarch. Her conductor withdrew, and she was 
alone with the man whom she had so much cause to 
dread. She cast a hurried glance into his face, and as 
she saw the stern, willful expression which dwelt there, 
her heart failed her, and she feared the worst. 

Lady,'' spoke the king, in a subdued tone, but with 
startling force in his look and bearing, “ I have had thee 
brought hither for a special purpose, a purpose upon 
which I am fixed. Perhaps thou knowest what it is." 

“ I know not, sire," she replied faintly. 

I have spoken with thee enough concerning it, so 
thou canst not be surprised. I have sent for thee to 
come and be my queen !" 

lanthe had expected this, but still the words fell like 
a thunderbolt upon her, and she tottered back against 
the wall. 

“ Of course thou wert prepared for this," the king con- 
tinued, as he saw that the maiden did not speak. 

‘‘No, no I I was not! I cannot be!" she gasped. 
“You will not — " 

“Hold! I say I will ! Such is my purpose, and it 
shall be done." 

“ It cannot be, sire. The very gods will cry out 
against it." 

“ Ha ! and hast, then, consulted the gods ? By the fires 
of Tartarus, thou shalt find that the king of Sicily 
acknowledges no other will but his own. My queen 
thou art to be, and that, too, ere another hour has passed. 
From here I shall take thee to the throne-chamber 
where the chief officers of my kingdom are assembled, 
and as thou conductest thyself in their presence, so 
shall be the cause of my treatment of thee hereafter." 

“ You will not do this thing." 

“ I will !" 

“ But if every emotion and instinct of my soul and of 


i6o 


A lartc. 


my nature led me to cry out against it, and to oppose it 
to the end ?’* 

‘‘ And if to all that were added the opposition of Jove 
himself, Fd carry my purpose to its consummation !” 

lanthe gazed upon the king no longer with a fright- 
ened look. His impiousness had opened to her the 
utter hardness of his heart, and she would not waste 
breath in calling forth more of it by prayer or petition. 
She had thrown off the weakening terror which had 
seized upon her, and came forth with something of the 
proud spirit which nature had given her. And in this 
she was influenced no less by an idea of her own wel- 
fare, than by the pride of her heart. She saw that she 
was, for the time, wholly within the tyrant’s power, and 
that, oppose him as she would, nothing could avail her. 
As she stepped forward from the wall, and bent her 
gaze upon the foul monarch now, there was a purpose 
of her own as firmly fixed as any purpose of earth. 

Dost hear what I have said, lady ?’* the king 
demanded, as he noticed how thoughtfully she regarded 
him. 

“ I have heard thee,” she replied, with wondrous 
calmness. 

‘‘ And art thou ready to obey ?” 

“ I have spoken as well as thou, sire.” 

‘‘Aye, but I have spoken with authority and with 
power.” 

“And 1 have spoken with truth, and a fixed purpose.” 

“ If thy purpose is opposed to mine it must yield, 
lady.” 

“ Beware, king ! Thou mayest drag a defenseless 
maiden to the ceremony of marriage, but the conse- 
quences may be such as thou hast not dreamed of.” 

“I have heard enough of that, girl! If I dare the 
gods, I shall surely hesitate not for thy soft speech. 


A Fearful Peril 


i6i 


Thou hast known my purpose from the first, and by 
this time I think thou must be prepared. So come — 
we will to the throne at once, and there thou shalt 
receive the crown a queen alone can wear.’' 

‘‘Stop, sire !” the maiden replied, putting forth her 
hands as the king approached her. “ Once more let me 
warn thee. I say unto thee — seek to carry thy purpose 
no further, for a greater harm shall come to thee.” 

There was something prophetic in the girl’s tone and 
bearing, and for a moment even the headstrong mon- 
arch was startled by it, but he threw off the emotion, 
and took a step nearer her. 

“ A threat almost seems sweet coming from those 
lips,” he said, in a tone of irony ; and then he added, 
with a stern look, “but beware how you go too far ! If 
in the presence of others — in the place to which I shall 
now conduct thee — thou dost speak such words, thou 
wilt have cause to wish that thy tongue had been torn 
out by its roots ere the thought had been born within 
thee ! Dost understand me ?” 

“ I do, sire.” 

Again the king was startled, and this time by the 
strange calmness of the maiden ; but he fancied she had 
resigned herself to her fate, and he felt rather hopeful. 

At this juncture a page entered and informed Pyrrho 
that all the officers who had been found within call were 
assembled. The monarch then turned to lanthe and 
took her hand. 

“ Come,” he said, “it will soon be done.” 

“ Art determined ?” the maiden asked. 

“ As fixed as the walls of my palace,” was the 
response. 

She made no opinion further, but suffered the king to 
lead her away, and ere long she found herself within the 
great chamber of the throne. She saw black slaves at 


i 62 


A laric. 


the doors, and near the center of the apartment stood 
those whom she knew must be the chief ofiScers of the 
kingdom. For a few moments her heart seemed to 
hush its pulsations, and she came very nigh to sinking 
beneath the whelming emotions ; but she remembered 
the purpose of her soul, and with a mighty effort, she 
called back her departing energies. She was led to the 
marble dais in front of the throne, and the king stood 
by her side. 

“ Donatus,*' he said, addressing his chamberlain, ‘‘ it 
is my command that you cause the object of our will to 
be made known.’* 

Then the chamberlain turned and addressed the chief 
of the heralds, and the herald stepped forth and raised 
his trumpet to command attention. Then he made 
known to all assembled that it was the will and pleasure 
of their sovereign majesty that the lady lanthe, now 
present, should be made queen, and raised to a seat 
upon the throne, to enjoy, while she lived, all the right 
and dignity of a king’s wife. Whereupon the grand 
chamberlain approached the monarch and announced 
that his order had been obeyed. 

Then Pyrrho led lanthe to the throne, and upon her 
brow he placed a crown of gold, and while he held her 
by the hand, he spake to his officers. 

“ Men of Sicily, thus do I take this woman to be my 
true wife, and by this act do I acknowledge her my 
queen. Henceforth let all men so regard and respect 
her.” 

Then the herald stepped forth again, and this time he 
blew a blast upon his trumpet, after which he pro- 
claimed that the king’s marriage had been consum- 
mated, and that lanthe was queen. 

The maiden heard the last word of the herald, and 
then she tottered back, and sank down upon the seat 


A Fearftil Peril, 


163 


of gold and ivory. The king ordered the chamber to 
be cleared at once of all save his black ^slaves, and when 
the officers were gone, he turned to his new-made wife, 
who was pale as death, but who yet breathed and had 
life. 

“ lanthe,” he said, taking her hand, thou art deeply 
affected.” 

She heard the voice and it startled her back to con- 
sciousness. 

“ Art faint ?” Pyrrho asked, as he saw her eyes open. 

She gazed up into his face, and in a moment more 
started to her feet. 

King !” she whispered, putting him from her by a 
powerful effort of strength, touch me not ! I am not 
thy queen ! It is all a base, impious play, and I hold 
myself free from its obligations. As you love justice 
and fear retribution, come not near me !” 

Ah, pretty one, it is too late for thee to wail or to 
threaten now. The consummation has been arrived at, 
and thou art all I could ask thee to be. Mestor !” 

The chief of the eunuchs advanced to the throne, and 
bowed low before it. 

‘‘ Take this lady to the place from whence thou didst 
bring her, and be thou responsible as before.” Then 
the king turned to lanthe, and in a lower tone he 
added : 

“ Thy future is now in thine own hands, either for 
good or for ill. If thou hast sense or reason within thee, 
thou wilt know how to conduct thyself, for I do assure 
thee that I can brook none of thine insolence or con- 
tumacy. But I trust that a little reflection will calm 
thee somewhat, and bring thee back to reason. Now 
go, and I will be with thee when it pleases me.” 

lanthe allowed the eunuch to take her hand, this time 
without even a shudder at the thought, for she was thus 


164 


A laric. 


relieved of a presence far more terrible. She was led 
back to her own chamber, and when Mestor had seen 
her seated upon a couch, and knew that she wanted 
nothing which he could provide, he left her to herself. 

For nearly an hour the afflicted girl remained like 
one in a fearful dream. The bands had been drawn 
to their utmost tension, and she felt their force notwith- 
standing the promise of the priest, and the Tesolution 
she had herself taken. When it was fairly dark the 
eunuch brought lights and refreshments, and was about 
to depart when lanthe stopped him. 

“ Your royal master will come here to-night ?” she said. 

‘‘ If he said so, then he will,*' replied the black. 

‘‘ When will he come 

I know not ; but thou hadst better be prepared to 
receive him at any time.*’ 

When the slave was gone lanthe partook of such 
refreshment as she needed, and then arose from the 
board. She took a few turns up and down the room, 
and finally stopped by the window through which the 
rays of the new moon were shining. She threw open 
the casement and gazed out. She could not see the 
pavement below, for no light penetrated to the bottom 
of the narrow court, into which she looked ; but she 
knew that she was a long distance from the ground, 
for she had gazed from the dizzy height in the day 
time. When she saw that the casement was fastened 
back, she broke away the vines that had been trailed 
about the window and then returned to her couch. 

An hour more passed away, and part of another, and 
at the end of that time she heard some one approaching 
her door. It was not the eunuch’s step — she had heard 
that too often to be mistaken. She hushed the wild 
throbbing of her heart, and started to her feet just as 
the door opened. 


A Fearful Peril, 


165 


Ah, not yet retired ?” said the king, closing the door 
behind him. 

Hold ! one moment,'’ spoke lanthe, in a hollow, 
startling tone. 

The monarch stopped, moved as much by the maid- 
en’s strange look and bearing, as by her words. 

“ What would ye ?” he asked, gazing in wonder upon 
her. She* looked very beautiful as she stood there ; 
and she looked queenly, too. 

Come no nearer to me !” she said, in the same deep 
tone. 

Why, how is this ? Dost mock me ?” 

“ I mock thee not ; but I saw, come no nearer !” 

Art thou not my wife ?” 

“ I am not.” 

By Jove ! thou art.” 

‘‘ I am not.” 

“Thou art my quee;i and my wife.” 

“ I am not ! I will never be ! Touch me not !” 

“ Now, by the heavens, but this is jesting too far,” 
cried the king, partly in anger. “ I should act the fool 
in downright earnest to suffer thee thus to guile me. 
No, no. I’ll clasp thee to my bosom, and love thee if 
thou wilt let me.” 

With a quick movement, and before Pyrrho could 
divine her purpose, the maiden leaped upon the sill of 
the high window, and stood upon the projecting stone. 

“ Behold, O king !” she exclaimed, “ I now have the 
power to escape thee ! Ere I will suffer the slightest 
touch from thee I will throw myself from this fearful 
height upon the solid pavement beneath !” 

The monarch started back aghast. At first it ap- 
peared to him that she would go over the sill ; but 
when he saw her standing there erect, her fair form 
boldly relieved in the moonlight, and her hands clasped 


A lartc. 


1 66 


upon her heaving bosom, he was inspired by a feeling 
of momentary awe. He soon came down to a practical 
view of the matter, and began to wonder if she was 
really in earnest. 

“ lanthe,** he said, “ thou wouldst not do so foolish a 
thing.” 

As well as that thou shouldst do so wicked a thing,” 
she quickly responded. “ Approach me another step 
and I go ! I tell thee, I have counted the cost — I had 
counted it when thou didst behold me so calm in thy 
closet — and I am resolved. If my bruised and mangled 
body can benefit thee, thou canst have it ; but not one 
of thy fingers shall be laid upon me.” 

The king had sense enough to see that she was reso- 
lute, and he promised her, if she would come in from 
the place of danger, that he would after that retire if 
she still demanded it. 

“ I would not trust thee, foul king !” she replied, 
“ Get thee hence from my apartment, and send to me 
attendants of my own sex, if thou wouldst have me 
come down.” 

I’ll have thee, girl, if it costs — ” 

“ Ha ! Beware ! If thou takest that step I will throw 
myself down !” 

Then if thou wilt have it so,” returned the king, 
stamping his foot in rage, so let it be. If I cannot 
have thee living. I’ll have thee dead ; for even thus I 
shall be the gainer I” 

“ Sayest thou so?” asked lanthe, clasping her hands 
more tightly together. 

“ Aye, and I mean it !” 

‘‘ Then, farewell to thee and to earth ! Thou hast 
but to take the step, king !” 

rd rather have thee living,” said Pyrrho, hesitating ; 
for thou art my queen — and thou art most beautiful.” 


Deeper Trouble for the King. 


167 


‘‘ I have spoken. Between thy next step towards this 
place and my death is bat the time of passage hence to 
the pavement !’' 

“ Then thou wilt die 
Take the step and see !” 

“ By the thunders of Jupiter, I’ll try thee !’' 

The mad monarch was upon the point of advancing, 
and the maiden was upon the point of leaping from her 
dizzy perch, when the door was suddenly opened. The 
king gave utterance to a deep curse, while from lanthe’s 
lips burst a cry of hope ; for 'twas Agrippa who had 
thus appeared upon the scene ! 


CHAPTER XVII. 

DEEPER TROUBLE FOR THE KING. 

lanthe had already balanced herself for the fearful 
leap when she ' was so suddenly and unexpectedly 
turned from her purpose, and in a moment more she 
would have left the world of mortality behind her ; but 
she started back towards the window when she saw the 
priest, and her desire to live returned to her. The king 
had been resolved upon pushing her to the utter 
extremity ; for beneath the influence of a mad passion, 
he had planned that she should die if she voluntarily 
sought it. He would have saved her — saved her for 
himself — if he could have grasped her in season to 
thwart her fatal purpose ; but he would not give up to 
her, he would not bend one atom from his own will, 
though she sought a thousand deaths. His foot had 
already been raised when he heard the door open behind 


i68 


Alaric. 


him ; and when he saw the priest he started back as 
though a thunderbolt had broken at his feet. 

“ Who — what — is this T he gasped, in choking tones, 
glaring upon the intruder like a wild beast. 

But Agrippa did not seem to notice him. He had 
seen the perilous position of lanthe, and he appeared to 
comprehend its meaning in a moment, for he uttered a 
quick cry of alarm, and started towards her. 

lanthe !’' he called, lanthe, fear not. I have come 
to save thee.'' 

The maiden tottered toward him, and would have 
fallen from the window-sill upon the floor had he not 
caught her in his arms, for this sudden transition from 
darkest despair to the hope of joyful safety, had proved 
too much for her already overtaxed heart. He bore her 
to a couch, and then turned to the king, who had not yet 
recovered from his first emotions of astoundment. 

‘‘ King of Sicily," he said, bending upon the monarch 
a stern look, “ It was made known to me, even upon the 
consummation, that thou hadst forced this maiden to 
assume the crown of thy queen, and I have come to save 
her from the fate which thou hast planned in opposi- 
tion to the will of heaven. Did I not tell thee that this 
thing could never be ?" 

For a while Pyrrho was absolutely at a loss for lan- 
guage to express himself. His madness was so rampant, 
and his passion so overpowering, that he was completely 
mastered thereby. But he managed Anally to And his 
tongue. 

“ Thou creeping, canting trickster !" he yelled, with a 
furious stamp of the foot, ^‘thou abomination of all 
truth, and blot upon holiness ! How darest thou come 
unbidden ?" 

“ I dare do anything which is right," the priest replied. 

And so I dare thwart thee in thy foul purpose !" 


Deeper Trouble for the King. 


169 


“ By the powers of the celestial gods !” cried the king, 
bringing his clenched fists together, “ thou shalt not live 
to repeat thy insolence. Wert thou ten thousand times 
a priest of Diana, thy life should answer for such dar- 
ing treason as this ! What ho ! Guards ! Without 
there !” 

“ Your majesty forgets that the guards are not posted 
in this far-off part of the palace,” remarked Agrippa. 

“ The gods infernal seize thee— thou speakest well for 
one who will speak hut little more ! What ho ! With- 
out there ! Mestor !” 

“ I did not see the slave as I came in,” quietly inter- 
posed the priest. “ I think he has left thee to thyself.” 

The king remembered that he had called for no 
attendance at the door, for he had not thought it neces- 
sary ; and as this recollection came to him, he clapped 
his hand upon his hip and drew his sword. 

“ By the crown of Jupiter !” he exclaimed, “ there 
is one who can come at my bidding, and thou shalt 
find that the king is not to be caught powerless. But, 
Ibefore I kill thee, let me thank thee for coming 
i hither ; for thou hast served me two purposes. Thou 
ijhast given thyself into my hands, and thou hast saved 

I the maiden to me. Now, base-born wretch, take the 
reward of thy treachery and insolence !” 

I In a moment the long black robe of the priest was 
Birown back, revealing for a single instant a closely 
Btting garb of finely wrought mail, the intricate meshes 
ipf which glittered like burnished silver, and when the 
fcbe fell again about his form, he held in his hand a 
[jlword, the long, broad blade of which shone like a 
■ , Mirror. 

• ” Ha !” shouted the king, as he saw the movement, 

i,i‘ Wouldst draw upon thine anointed ruler ?” 


170 


Alarzc, 


I would have free passage hence, and bear the 
maiden with me,’' replied Agrippa. 

Why, thou crazy, slack-brained idiot ! Down with 
thy sword !” 

“ Put up thine own.” 

“ I’ll put it thus !” yelled Pyrrho, making a rush at 
the priest. But he missed his mark ; and when he 
stopped he seemed to consider. He gazed upon the 
man before him, and he calculated that he could easily 
overcome one so old and apparently infirm ; and if he 
could dispatch him thus, and thus be rid of his 
influence, it might be the best thing he could do. 

The monarch was superstitious, but he was moved by 
a deep frenzy now, and he only thought of the present. 
So he quickly made up his mind that he would despatch 
the intruder upon the spot. 

Base worm,” he cried, between his clenched teeth, 
thus I do put thee from my path !” 

He made a furious thrust as he spoke, and he was | 
not a little surprised to find that his sword was | 
turned aside without any apparent effort on the part of ' 
his antagonist. But that might have been a mere j 
chance ward ; he drew back and thrust again. But i 
again his point flew off into empty space, gliding along 
upon the priest’s smooth blade instead of through his 
body. 

“ Thou canst not harm me, king,” said the old man, 
as Pyrrho recovered himself. 

At another time the monarch might have been moved 
by a superstitious dread of the astrologer’s mystic 
power, but he was too deeply excited now. He had 
been a soldier in his day, and had fought many a hard 
battle ; and though his course for the past few years 
had made a coward of his heart, yet the clang of arms, 
and the opposition of an enemy who stood him face to 


Deeper Troubk for the King. 171 


face, gave him brute courage enough. In his mad pas- 
sion he again gathered himself for the attack, deter- 
mined not to be thwarted again by a white-haired priest. 
He made another thrust, and when that was parried, as 
he had calculated, he quickly recovered his point, and 
lunged out in another direction. But this blow was 
warded off again, and now he aimed a furious stroke at 
his opponent’s head, which was also rendered of no 
avail by the quick movements of Agrippa. 

The king must by this time have seen that the priest 
was a man of extraordinary physical power, as well as 
a cunning swordsman, but he did not seem to realize^^ 
that he stood in any danger. He did not seem to 
consider that the power which so easily kept him at 
bay, might, when turned upon the offensive, prove 
quickly fatal to him. He was growing more blind with 
madness, and he refused to see. Again he set upon the 
old man, this time cutting and thrusting by turns, and 
still he was foiled at every point. 

‘‘By the gods, thou shalt die!” the monarch yelled, 
with a lunge, to the giving of w^hich he had concen- 
trated all his power. 

Agrippa turned Pyrrho’s point aside, and, as the 
monarch plunged forward, he dealt him a blow upon 
the head with the golden pommel of his sword which 
laid him senseless upon the marble floor. The priest 
quickly threw his weapon down, and kneeling by the 
side of the prostrate king, he at once proceeded to 
secure him from giving any immediate alarm. He 
bound his hands behind him ; then lashed his feet, and 
then wound a scarf about his mouth. When this was 
done he went to the couch, and found that lanthe had 
recovered her senses, and was sitting up. 

“ Is the king dead ?” she asked, with a shudder. 

“ No ; he is only stunned. I would not kill him now, 


172 


A laric. 


for thus I should rob fate of her just due. But what of 
it hast thou seen ?’* 

I saw the king fall. I think 1 heard him cry out 
that thou shouldst die. It was then that I awoke.'* 

“ He thought to kill me very easily," said the old 
man, with a curious nod of the head ; “ and thus, as he 
confessed, not only rid himself of me, but secure your- 
self. However^ he little dreamed with whom he had to 
do. Still, I am somewhat sorry that I met the king 
here, for I had not anticipated it. I heard of his base 
treatment of thee — that he had forced the crown upon 
thy head, and I came hither as quickly as possible that 
I might save thee from the full consummation of his fell 
purpose. I hoped to find thee here alone, and get thee 
hence without being seen ; but when I reached the 
door, and heard the sound of the king's voice, I knew 
there was danger, and I determined to brave the result. 
Here, thy hand. Now let hope give thee strength, and 
fear nothing while I am with thee." 

The maiden had no thought of hesitation now ; but 
she put forth her hand with all the trust of a child in its 
parent, and walked by the old man's side. They saw 
that the king had returned to consciousness, and that he 
was struggling against the bonds that confined him ; 
but they stopped not to witness his labors. Agrippa 
opened the door and passed out, and at the end of the 
long corridor they came upon a man who held a lantern 
in his hand. lanthe would have hesitated with fear, 
but her conductor informed her that the man was a 
friend, and that he had more within the palace upon 
whom he could call in case of need. 

The person upon whom they had thus come did not 
speak, but simply turned as they reached the place 
where he stood, and walked on ahead of them. And 
there was need of his lantern too ; for they soon entered 


Deeper Trouble for the King. 173 


a narrow, dark way, which had evidently been con- 
structed only for a passage. In a little while they 
began to descend a long flight of narrow, winding steps, 
and when they had reached the bottom of these they 
came upon a second man, who likewise held a lantern 
in his hand, and who now took the lead. From the feel- 
ing of the atmosphere, I an the judged that she was now 
in some subterranean place, and she asked her compan- 
ion if such was not the case. 

‘‘We are below the ground floor of the palace,'' he 
answered, “though very far from the lowest of this 
structure. Y ou are not afraid T 

“ No, father. If thou canst prove false to me, then 
my heart is false to itself." 

“ I thank thee, lady. But we shall soon be free from 
the palace entirely. We are now in the passage which 
runs along by the butler's store-rooms. There is a pri- 
vate gate not far off." 

In a little while they came to a stout door, which the 
man with the lantern opened by means of a key. 
Beyond this was a narrow hall, from which opened sev- 
eral doors, but the guide opened that one which seemed 
the strongest, immediately beyond which was another 
of solid metal. This was opened by removing several 
heavy bars, and when it was finally swung open, lanthe 
felt the cool, fresh air strike upon her cheek. With a 
quicker step and a quicker throbbing of the heart, she 
moved forward, and in a few moments more she stood 
in the open street. Agrippa threw a light cloak over 
her shoulders — one which he had received from the last 
guide — and then he hurried along until they had got 
well away from the palace. 

It was not very late, and there were some people in 
the street, but the priest seemed to have no fears, for as 
soon as he had got away from the royal abode he walked 


174 


Alaric. 


quite leisurely, like one in deep meditation, and seemed 
not to notice the remarks which his appearance called 
forth. Ere long, however, quite a crowd had collected 
behind him, for many had recognized him as the won- 
drous priest of the oracle, and when they began to press 
upon him, he stopped and turned towards them. 

‘‘ My children,” he said, “ It is not meet that I should 
be disturbed. I am contemplating upon matters which 
I may resolve for your benefit if you will but suffer me 
to pass on in peace. May the blessings of the heavenly 
God be upon thee, and deliver thee from all evil !” 

A murmur of thanks went up from the multitude, and 
then they dispersed quietly and in order, and the old 
man pursued his way in peace. 

Finally he turned into a narrow court, and shortly 
afterwards entered a house, at the door of which stood 
two men. A long, erratic course was now pursued, 
amid a labyrinth of passages, which would^have puz- 
zled any one not perfectly familiar with them, and in 
the end lanthe found herself in a well-furnished and 
well-lighted chamber, and about her stood many of 
those who had been her friends for years. She 'saw 
them all, she saw how kindly they gazed upon her, but 
her heart yearned most strongly towards one well- 
remembered form — Endora, the sister of Bellerus, who 
had been her nurse and her faithful friend. Upon the 
bosom of Endora she sank ; and as the aged matron 
smoothed back her tangled tresses, and kissed her fair 
brow, the men withdrew, and left the recovered jewel in 
the charge of those who might, for the present, handle 
it with the most care and circumspection. 

It was not until near morning that Mestor repaired to 
the chamber which the maiden had occupied, and found 


Deeper Trouble for the King, 


175 


his royal master bound hand and foot, and his power of 
speech cut off. As soon as the monarch was freed from 
his bonds, he flew into a passion with his eunuch for 
having left him to suffer so long ; but he finally cooled 
away from that, and allowed Mestor to take him to the 
bath, and wash and rub him until the impeded circula- 
tion was restored. From this till the time for assem- 
bling of the officers, the king was like one in a state of 
maniacy. He raved and swore, and threatened with 
death every officer of his household ; but this paroxysm 
Anally left him, and he made his appearance in the closet 
where he usually met his chief officers, with a terrible 
calmness upon him, a calmness such as only the most 
intense feeling can create. He made no explanations — 
not even to his chamberlain — but he turned to his cap- 
tain, and bade him listen. 

‘‘ Go to the Temple of Diana,” he said, ‘‘ and bring 
me the priest of Abydos, whose name is Agrippa. If 
he is not there, find him. If it requires every soldier in 
the city to effect the capture, they are at thy command. 
But BRING HIM TO ME !” 

The captain left the room, and then the monarch 
clenched his hands and teeth, and paced to and fro in 
his impotent rage. Donatus dared not speak to him, so 
he stood apart, and wondered what had happened. At 
the end of an hour the captain returned. 

Hast brought him ?” the king demanded. 

No, sire,” replied the officer, tremblingly. 

Couldst thou not And him ?” 

‘‘Aye, he was at the temple.” 

“ Then why, in the name of all the gods, didst thou 
not bring him ?” 

“ Sire,” replied Claudian, “ I could not do it. The 
moment I mentioned the subject to the priest, he 
turned, and, with a loud voice, cried out that he could 


Alartc. 


176 


not yield himself a prisoner to a tyrant whom he had 
offended only in that he had dared to tell the truth and 
do an act of mercy. And then he intimated that he 
could tell the people something which would startle 
them. I supposed he alluded to the secret of the 
Lady lanthe, and I dared not push him to further 
speech.” 

“ But why didst thou not strike the white-haired 
traitor dead ?” yelled the tyrant, stamping his foot. 

“ Why, sire, the people took up his cause in a moment 
and they would have torn me limb from limb had I 
attempted to approach the sacred altar where he stood. 
They reverence and adore him already, for he has 
spoken words of strange cheer to them.” 

“ Where were the soldiers ?” 

“ Wouldst thou have me lead the soldiers against the 
people, sire ?” 

‘‘ Aye ! by the death, I would ! If the people protect 
an outlawed traitor, let your soldiers disperse them.” 

But, sire—” 

Out with it ! Stand not there as though thy words 
would kill ! By the hosts of Tartarus, but I’ve borne 
enough to bear all thou canst tell ! Speak !” 

‘‘ The soldiers might not be safely led.” 

Ha ! Does treason stalm them, too ?” 

‘‘ No, sire. But I can feel the beatings of the pulse 
of our guard, and ’twould not be safe to set them 
against the people, especially at this time. Let this 
old priest of Diana go till thou canst fasten him by 
some stratagem, for the people and the soldiers both 
have too great a reverence for the temple, and its 
sacred power of oracle, to allow even the officers of 
the king to tread violently therein.” 

“ I’ll not wait !” the monarch madly shouted, 
gnashing his teeth with fury. Get thee hence, and 


A Compact ; And — / 


177 


leave me to myself awhile, for I cannot think while I 
am gazed upon. But go not from the sound of my 
voice.” 

And when the king was left alone he strode up and 
down the apartment, raving and pondering by turns. 
Could he not contrive some way to bring Agrippato the 
palace, and, when once there, lead him to the mystic 
fatal vault ? Thus ran the monarch’s thoughts, and to 
the perplexing solution he applied all his energies. 


CHAPTER XV \ 

A COMPACT ; AND — 1 

Alaric had seen too many seasons of trial, and passed 
through too many severe mental ordeals, to suffer him- 
self to remain long in despair under the new trial which 
had come upon him. As soon as he was able to mingle 
with the laborers, he learned that the captain who had 
brought him to Carthage took prisoners wherever he 
could find them, and sold them as slaves. He was a 
pirate, and stole both cargo and crew ; and he had many 
customers among the wealthy vine-growers and hus- 
bandmen upon the coast. 

I paid but very little for you,” said the purse-proud, 
haughty Torus, as he came to see if the young man was 
able to go into the vineyard one morning ; and even 
that I did not pay until I was sure you would recover ; 
so I won’t force you to very hard work until you are 
able . to bear it. The captain told me he found you 
lying upon the sea-shore, near the city of Syracuse, and 


178 


A larzc. 


that not far distant from you were some dead soldiers. 
What were you in that city T' 

Nothing/’ replied Alaric. I was only a poor trav- 
eler. I had no home.” 

‘‘ Then you should thank your stars that you have a 
home now.” 

I shall suffer no more here than I might have suf- 
fered elsewhere, sir.” 

Suffer ? My bondmen do not suffer. Conduct thy- 
self as becometh one in thy station, and thou shalt find 
much comfort.” 

Alaric went into the vineyard, and he worked for his 
master ; but when he gazed off upon the blue sea he 
felt his soul in his arms, and the struggle came on ; but 
he conquered it, and kept his peace. It might have 
been fate that had brought him there — for he seemed 
thus far to have been borne through life by powers 
beyond his own control — but might not fate deliver him 
from the bondage ? He hoped so, and in the hope he 
resolved to work, keeping his own counsel, and watch- 
ing opportunities as they might offer. He found him- 
self surrounded by a coarse, ignorant set of men, who 
not only wore the yoke without murmuring, but who 
seemed fitted for just the stations they occupied. Most 
of them had been sailors and poor fishermen, and 
appeared to have no realization of any good above a 
covered back and a well-filled stomach. 

One day, while Alaric was at work upon the slope of 
a hill that faced the sea, he saw a vessel approaching 
the coast ; and when she had come near enough so that 
he could distinguish her character, he knew her to be a 
craft from Syracuse. He could tell by her model, and 
by the peculiar arrangement of her sails, and also by 
the manner in which her long banks of oars, or sweeps, 
were placed. When she came close to the shore she 


A Compact ; A nd — / 


179 


dropped her anchor, and a boat was lowered, in which 
some men came to the landing, and two of them ascended 
to the vine-grower’s dwelling. The youth thought they 
might be merchants from Syracuse, and he wondered if 
he should know them if he should see them. 

In the meantime the two strangers, who had come 
from the ship, were admitted to the master’s apartment, 
where they found Torus engaged with a scribe, who 
was making accounts of wine ready to sell. 

‘' Art thou the master of this place?” asked one of the 
new-comers. 

“I am,” replied Torus, and as he spoke he handed 
seats for his guests. 

" We would see thee alone,” resumed the visitor. 

The scribe was ordered to withdraw, and when he 
was gone the men took the proffered seats. 

“ My name is Flavius,” said the stranger who had 
before spoken, “ and I come from Pyrrho, King of 
Sicily, with a message to Torus.” 

“ Ah,” returned the master with a brightening eye at 
this mention of a wealthy monarch ; for he was an 
avaricious man, and gold was his god. " I hope the 
good king is well. His majesty has tasted of my wine 
ere this, or I am mistaken.” 

“ He has, and he would taste of it again, for he has 
found it of most excellent flavor.” 

" I’ll show thee some of a new cast, sirs ; and thou 
shalt say if Sicily can produce a better.” 

Thus speaking the master arose and stepped from the 
apartment, and as soon as he was gone Flavius turned 
to his companion. 

“ Zared,” he said, “this man is vain, and proud, and 
avaricious. We must humor him.” 

“ Aye,” answered Zared, “ I see that plainly. Let us 
order wine of him upon the king’s professed partiality 


i8o 


A laric. 


for his particular vintage, and we may have him to our 
purpose more easily.” 

“ Wait, here he comes.” 

Torus returned, and behind him followed a black 
slave, bearing a large tray upon which were a flagon of 
silver and several drinking-cups. Wine was poured 
out, and the guests supplied. 

‘‘What think ye of that?” asked the master, as his 
visitors lowered their cups. 

“ It is superb,” pronounced Flavius. 

“ The finest wine I ever tasted,” responded Zared. 

“If Jupiter sips nectar like this he must be content,” 
added Flavius. 

“ The king must taste of your wondrous production, 
good Torus,” cried Zared, emptying his cup. 

“You came to buy wine, then ?” said the delighted 
vine-grower. 

“Partly,” replied Flavius, after a moment’s thought. 
“ We came on some business of State, and, as we were 
preparing, the king asked us if we knew where the valley 
of the vineyard of Torus was. We informed him that 
we could easily find so noted a place, and he bade us stop 
there and purchase some wine for him ; for, notwith- 
standing the old feuds which have existed between the 
two countries, he declares his preference for the Punic 
wines.” 

“ I shall be most happy to serve him, I assure you,” 
returned Torus, rubbing his hands with much satisfac- 
tion. “ My largest leathern bottle holds four measures. 
I can spare a number such of the very wine you have 
tasted.” 

“ We will make a selection before we go,” said 
Flavius. 

The two Sicilians drank some more of the wine, and 


A Compact ; A nd — / 


i8i 


chatted upon various topics connected with vine culture 
and finally Flavius remarked : 

“We mentioned that we came from Syracuse partly 
on business of State/’ 

“Yes. I remember/’ replied the master, with atten- 
tion. 

“ There has been a horrid conspiracy against the 
king,” pursued Flavius ; “ and the chief conspirator has 
escaped from the island.” 

“ Ah, a conspiracy ?” 

“ Yes, a fearful one.’" 

“ And a conspirator escaped ?” 

“ The conspirator,” said Flavius. “ He would have 
murdered the monarch.” 

“ Do you know who he is ?” asked the master, who 
now manifested a deep interest. 

“ Not exactly,” returned the messenger with some 
hesitation ; “ but we have had information that he was 
taken away from Sicily by ’ a ship of Carthage, and 
brought upon this coast.” 

“ Ha ! And how left he the island t Did he vSlay any 
soldiers ?” 

“Yes, he and his associates slew four of them ; and 
he must have been himself seriously wounded. The 
strange soldiers were seen bearing him off to their boat, 
and pursuit was given ; but they got safely off.” 

“ By the sacred Tartarus,” cried the master, “ me- 
thinks the king of Sicily could afford to pay something 
for this conspirator.” 

The two Sicilians exchanged glances. 

“He would — he will — pay handsomely,” said Zared ; 
“ though he would not have the wretch brought back 
alive to Syracuse.” 

“What — how much — would he give ?” inquired Torus, 
working his hands together slowly and calculatingly. 


i 82 


Alaric, 


For his dead body, presented to ns, we are author- 
ized to pay five hundred pieces of gold, of the Roman 
coin.” 

Five hundred pieces,” repeated the master, mus- 
ingly. ‘‘ It is a goodly sum. But you have not men- 
tioned the name of this conspirator.” 

“ His name was Alaric, and he was a youth who had 
seen the passing of not more than twenty years.” 

This is a strange coincidence, gentlemen,” returned 
Torus, folding his hands upon his knees, and seeming 
still to calculate. ‘‘ The youth of whom you speak is 
my bondman.” 

The visitors started as though they were astonished. 

I purchased him of a strange captain, and I not only 
paid a round sum for him, but I have been at much 
expense in curing him of a very dangerous wound 
which had brought him nigh unto death. But I did all 
this willingly, for I saw that he had much intelligence, 
and I knew he would be of great value to me. He 
reads and writes far better than any scribe I have, and 
understands many languages.” 

“ By the fates, we are most fortunate,” cried Flavius. 

Of course we can make some arrangement with you ?” 

‘‘ Why — as for that matter — I shall not refuse such a 
favor to my friend, the king of Sicily, providing I can 
be sufficiently recompensed. If I understand you 
rightly, you wish for his dead body ?” 

So the king commanded us.” 

Would not some of your own men slay him ?” 

‘‘We would rather not trust them. They would do 
it, but we do not wish the fact that he so died to be 
made public in Syracuse ; and we cannot be’ answerable 
for the tongues of the sailors, nor of the few guardmen 
whom we have brought with us. But he is an outlawed 
traitor and conspirator, and as such deserves death at 


A Compact ; A nd — / 


183 


the hands of all honorable men. Have you not slaves 
who would be his executioners ?’' 

“ I have slaves who will perform whatever I com- 
mand them. But first, I would have you see this youth, 
and be perfectly sure that he is the culprit.” 

Upon this the master led his guests out into the vine- 
yard, and conducted them to a point from whence they 
could observe the bondman without being seen by him 
in turn. They knew him in an instant, and so informed 
Torus. After this they returned to the house, and the 
Carthaginian seemed to have well considered the 
matter. He cared little for the life or death of a bond- 
man. The laws of Carthage made him absolute master 
over his household, and irresponsible to any tribunal of 
the land. He saw in the men about him only so much 
money which they might yield him, and he realized 
nothing of duty towards them beyond that. He had 
told the truth when he said that he had been careful of 
Alaric, because he thought he would be valuable to him 
as a scribe and general business agent ; but since the 
youth had been able to work he had begun to entertain 
doubts about the feasibility of thus employing him, for 
the young bondman did not display a disposition to be 
useful, but rather seemed inclined to stubbornness. 
And Torus had strong suspicions, too, that he might 
escape him one of these days. So, on the whole, if he 
could realize a sum greater than any possible profit 
which could accrue from Alaric’s labor for a lifetime, 
he had better dispose of him to the excellent advantage 
thus offered. And then, again, the master considered 
that the youth's life was his in fact, as well as in law, 
for he had verily saved it. 

Gentlemen,” he said, in the tone of one who has 
made up his mind, and will abide the consequences, ‘‘ I 
have reflected upon this subject, and have made proper 


Alaric. 


184 


calculation ; and I am ready to make known my prop- 
osition/' 

Let us have it/’ returned FJ^vius, eagerly. 

For one thousand pieces of gold, of full weight, 1 
will give to you the body of the bondman Alaric.” 

You will take his life ?” said Zared. 

‘‘ Of course, for such I conceive to be the contract” 

‘‘We accept the offer, good sir ; and the gold shall be 
paid to you when you demand it. And the sooner the 
thing is consummated, the better.” 

“ It shall be done this very night,” replied the master , 
“ and before you sleep you shall see the dead body.” 

After this Torus ordered refreshments, and the cur- 
rent of conversation was changed. 

Alaric had eaten his supper, and stood by an open 
door gazing out upon the placid sea, within the bosom 
of which rested the reflection of the starry heavens. He 
had caught a glimpse of the two strangers who had 
come up from the ship, and one of them he recognized 
as Flavius, a favorite of the Sicilian tyrant, belonging 
to the executive department. He wondered if this 
officer knew of his whereabouts. If he did, then his 
mission was not to be mistaken. Perhaps they knew 
where he was, and had come to take him back to Syra- 
cuse. 

He stood pondering thus, when he heard a step behind 
him, and felt a heavy hand upon his shoulder. He 
turned with a sudden start, and beheld Alkanor. He 
had no difficulty in recognizing the towering form, for 
no other man in the vineyard possessed such a frame of 
size and strength. And Alaric could see the man's fea- 
tures, too, for the twilight still lingered upon the vale^ 
and even distant objects were visible in outline. The 


A Compact ; And — / 


185 


youth had heard the story of the one who had thus 
approached him, and he knew something of his charac- 
ter. 

Alkanor was an Egyptian by birth, and had been a 
bondman in Carthage for many years^ First he was 
owned by a high officer within the city, who was cruel 
and tyrannical ; but finally he fell into the hands of 
Torus, who soon made a freedman of him. The vine- 
grower found the new slave to be stern and resolute, 
though crushed by long bondage, and he thought he 
could make a better use of him to free him, than he 
could to keep the yoke upon him. So he made him a 
freedman, and gave him control of all the slaves while 
not at work. The last spark of humanity seemed crushed 
out from the Egyptian’s bosom, and he carried his sway 
with an unrelenting hand. His Herculean power made 
him an object of dread to the workmen, and at his 
slightest nod they sank into submission. And he exe- 
cuted punishment also, when the decree was passed, and 
no sympathy ever held back his giant arm from the blow. 

Come with me !” pronounced Alkanor. 

“ Wherefore ?” asked Alaric, gazing up into the freed- 
man’s dark face. 

“ Ask me no questions, but come,” was the response ; 
and thus saying the Egyptian took him by the arm and 
led him away. 

The youth might as well have resisted the tornado, or 
the lightning bolt, as to have offered resistance to that 
man ; for his frame had not wholly recovered its wonted 
strength, and he had no weapon. He was led to the 
rear of the buildings, where two stout Ethiops, whom 
our hero recognized as body servants of the master, 
joined them. Their faces were black as night, and they 
showed their glistening teeth like beasts of prey as they 


Alaric, 


1 86 


gazed upon the youth. They wore swords, and ’twas 
said they knew how to use them. 

Up through the valley strode Alkanor, with his grasp 
still upon the youth’s arm, and close behind followed 
the Ethiopians. The end was reached, and they stood 
within a deep ravine, where a few olive trees struggled 
up through the rocks. 

“ What now ?” asked Alaric in a hoarse whisper. 

But the Egyptian answered not in words. He forced 
the youth’s arms behind him, as he would have forced 
the arms of a child, and bound them there with a stout 
thong of leather. 

‘‘Answer me one word !” cried the sufferer, turning 
an imploring glance upon the gigantic freedman. “ Am 
I to die thus? O ! speak, if only to tell me that !” 

But Alkanor would not speak. He placed the bound 
youth against a huge fragment of rock, and then turned 
to the Ethiops, who had drawn their swords, and seemed 
waiting for some signal from him. Alaric saw them — 
and saw their bright blades of steel flashing back the 
star-beams. He could not see their black faces clearly ; 
but he could see their grinning, horrid teeth, gleaming 
in their pure whiteness like the teeth of tigers ! 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE MYSTIC TEST, AND ITS RESULT. 

As soon as Alaric saw the drawn swords of the 
Ethiops, the whole truth flashed upon him. He knew 
that his death-warrant had come from Syracuse, and 
that Flavius and his companion had brought it. Where 
would he look for help now ? Not to the Egyptian, for 


The Mystic Test. 


187 


he had no mercy ; and surely not to the two slaves, for 
they knew nothing save the will of their masters. With 
this certainty of death before him, and no earthly hope 
of succor, he instinctively turned his thoughts to that 
Omnipotent One of whom he had so lately learned. 
He saw the blacks advancing with their bright blades 
ready for his blood, and, with his eyes raised towards 
the starry heavens, so that he might not see them when 
they struck, he cried, with a loud voice : 

“ O, Lord God ! Thou great Jehovah ! Take me, the 
youngest of thy craftsmen, to Thyself, in that celestial 
Temple which Thou hast reared 

He heard the step of the slaves — he could hear their 
deep breathing, but they did not strike. The words he 
had spoken had scarcely passed his lips, when the 
swords of the Ethiops were stricken down, and upon 
opening his eyes, which he had closed in expectation of 
the death-stroke, he found Alkanor again by his 
side. 

“ Bondman — Sicilian,'* spoke the Egyptian, in a tone 
so different from any the youth had before heard from 
his lips, that it seemed a new man, ‘‘What knowest thou 
of the Lora God Jehovah f* 

Alaric was too much startled by the suddenness of 
the movement, and by the strangeness of the question, 
to give an immediate answer. But finally he said : 

“ He is the One in whom I put my trust." 

“ Aye," pursued Alkanor, eagerly ; “ but where didst 
thou learn of him ?" 

A sudden gleam of hope, like the flashing of a 
meteor, darted before the bound youth ; and he quickly 
replied : 

“ Where all who are duly and truly prepared may 
learn of Him !" 

“ And what preparation is that which is necessary ?" 


i88 


A laric. 


A preparation of heart and of understanding.” 

" Whence comestthou ?” asked the Egyptian, becom- 
ing more eager and excited. 

“ From the East,” answered Alaric, whose meteor 
hope was taking a more radiant promise. 

“ And from whom in the East ?” 

From Solomon, King of Israel.” 

“ Didst learn a lesson of Fortitude there ?” 

Yes.” 

“ Of whom ?” 

The Widow’s Son,” 

As Alaric gave this answer, Alkanor turned to the 
two black vslaves, and demanded of them their swords. 
They seemed to wonder much at this movement, but 
they dared not disobey. 

“ Now step one side,” he continued in a stern, authori- 
tative voice, ‘‘ and await my bidding.” 

But why take our weapons ?” asked one of them. 

“ So that I may slay ye both if ye dare to disobey me! 
Now stand back and await my bidding.” 

As soon as the slaves were out of ear-shot, Alkanor 
turned again to the youth, and with one of the sharp 
swords he cut the thongs that bound his arms. 

Now give me thy hand,” he said. 

Alaric did as requested. He grasped the Egyptian’s 
broad palm, and as he did so he gave a secret token 
which he had received in the mystic chambers beneath 
the temple. Alkanor recognized it at once, for he not 
only returned it, but he also gave another, which the 
youth returned in like manner. 

“Now,” spoke the giant freedman, “if thou couldst 
give me the word.” 

“Wert thou prepared to receive it, I could do so 
readily,” replied Alaric. 


The Mystic Test, 


189 


Then behold me prepared, from my foot to my 
mouth/’ 

And with their breasts laid together, and their arms 
wound about each other, in token of their brotherhood 
and their fidelity, Alaric whispered into his ear the 
same mystic Word which Artabanus had once whis- 
pered into his ear. 

“ My brother !” pronounced the Egyptian, holding 
the youth by the hands, “ how sacredly does the 
memory of by -gone times return to me. Once, in my 
own land, I learned all this. My father was a crafts- 
man in Thebes, and of him I learned to be a cunning 
workman in stone ere I was old enough to receive the 
wages of corn, wine and oil. But I was old enough at 
length, and became inducted to all of the mysteries of 
the craft, such as they had maintained since the days of 
the great Soloman — the Wise Man of the East. I was 
yet young when my father, with others of like calling, 
started for Greece, and I with him. When fairly upon 
the sea, our ship was attacked by a pirate, and most of 
the crew, my father among the rest, were slain. I was 
brought to Carthage, and sold to one high in power ; 
and I remained a ^bondman through many long years, 
till Torus finally gave me my freedom. At some time 
I will tell thee of the many plans for liberty and 
revenge that I have formed, but not now. I have not 
forgotten the solemn obligation I once took upon 
myself ; and thou art the first brother who has ever 
needed assistance at my hands, to my knowledge, when 
it was in my power to give it. Alkanor has been hard 
of heart, and Jhas felt no mercy for many a year ; but 
the memory of the Sacred Hour rekindles an old love 
in his bosom ; and, in humble imitation of the Widow’s 
Son, he will offer up even life upon the altar of his 
duty !” 


A laric. 


190 


It would be impossible to describe the various 
emotions which swept through Alaric’s soul while the 
Egyptian was speaking He knew he had found a 
brother — one for whose safety he was bound to sacri- 
fice his own life, if need be — and he had no doubt that 
the obligation was mutual. 

Alkanor, my brother !” he cried falling upon the 
Egyptian’s bosom, in the first overpowering burst of 
his gratitude, surely this event shall not pass for harm 
to thee. Oh, thou wilt not forsake me now ?” 

‘‘Not while I have life!” returned the freedman. 
“ Thou art the first who has claimed the love of my heart 
since the chain was placed upon me, and thou shalt 
have the whole of it. If they take thee, they must take 
me, and thou shalt not die while I have life and liberty. 
Here, take one of these swords, and then come and 
help me bind the black slaves. When thou seest them 
both down, come.” 

Thus speaking Alkanor turned towards the place 
where the Ethiops stood, and, as he approached them, 
one of them asked him : 

“ Art most ready for us ?” 

“Almost,” was the response. 

“ Our master will be anxious. Let us have back our 
swords and we will do the work at once, for thou 
shouldst remember that — ” 

“ I remember enough,” interrupted Alkanor, and as 
he spoke he dealt the foremost black a blow upon the 
head with his clenched fist that felled him to the earth 
like one dead. In a moment more he had leaped over 
the prostrate body, and knocked the second down ; and 
then he turned to the youth, who quickly came to his 
assistance. 

“The more quickly we move,” he said, as the latter 
came up, “ the more time and opportunity we shall have 


The Mystic Test, 


191 


for escape. We will put these fellows beyond the 
power of giving- an alarm, and then consider.’' 

With thongs and articles of clothing they bound and 
gagged the two Ethiops, so that they could neither 
move nor speak, and then Alkanor took them in his arms 
as though they had been children, and conveyed them 
to a narrow, deep gorge behind some rocks, and laid 
them down there, where the master would have much 
difficulty in finding them. 

“ Now,” he said, as ffie returned the youth, again 
extending his hand, “ thou knowest my purpose. Hence- 
forth we are as one, bound together by ties of sacred 
and holy honor which he cannot break and remain men 
worthy of trust and belief. There are many of our 
brethren at Syracuse 

Over four thousand of them.” 

“And thou hast some influence there ?” 

“ Yes, else the tyrant would not seek my life as he 
has done.” 

“ Ah ! the king, then, sent those two men to purchase 
thy life ?” 

“ Yes. In return for thy story I’ll tell thee mine, 
when we have opportunity.” 

“ Right, my brother. And now to the business we 
have so urgently in hand. We have need of care and 
circumspection. The master had arranged thus : I 
was to see thee slain, and then remain by the body 
while the two slaves went and informed him of the suc- 
cess of the work. Thereupon he was to bring the two 
visitors hither with him, and show them that the deed 
was done. Thus it was planned. Now, Torus may 
wait some time ; or his impatience may overcome him. 
He may come out hither in half an hour. When he 
comes and finds us not, he will search awhile himself. 
Then he will return, and storm and curse in his wrath. 


192 


A laric. 


and send out others upon the search. Thus it appears 
probable to me ; so we may count upon an hour, or 
more, before any strict search will be effected. In the 
meantime what shall we do ?’* 

‘‘ Our hope points us towards Sicily ?” said Alaric. 

Yes.'^ 

There can be no use in seeking for concealment 
here.*' 

** On the contrary,’* returned Alkanor, “ it would be 
worse for us. If we escape from Carthage at all, we 
must do it ere the search for us becomes thoroughly 
instituted ; for, when it is given out that I am to be 
apprehended, escape would be next to impossible. I 
am too well known in this region.*’ 

Then why not seek the sea-shore immediately, and 
put off in the first boat we can find ?’* suggested the 
youth. 

“ Such was my own thought,** rejoined Alkanor. Do 
you know the stars which hang upon your island ?’* 

“Yes, very well. They are three.** And Alaric 
pointed to a bright constellation in the northeast. 

“ And how great is the distance to the nearest point 
of Sicily ?’* 

“ It cannot be over fifty leagues.’* 

“ Then we had better take to the sea than run any 
other risk. If the wind does not thwart us, nor any 
storm arise, we can pull that distance without much 
trouble. I can procure fruit enough to satisfy our 
hunger. Come, I will lead the way. I know where 
there is a boat.” 

Upon this the Egyptain started off, and Alaric 
followed close behind him. The youth felt no weak- 
ness now. The presence of so fair a hope, and one 
which had come so unexpectedly, gave hirri new 
strength, and made him almost forget that he had ever 


The Mystic Test. 


193 


been weak. Alkanor pursued his way down the valley 
until he came to the vineyard, where he stopped and 
gathered a lot of grapes and figs, directing his compan- 
ion to do the same. After this they kept on until they 
had reached the southern confine of the enclosure and 
here the Egyptian bade the youth wait a few moments- 

^‘.There is a part of the house,” he said, to which I 
can gain access without fear of discovery, it being the 
prison, to which I alone have the keys. I shall find 
something there which we may very much need. I 
will not be long gone.” 

Alaric sat down upon the grass, and for awhile he 
waited very patiently ; but gradually he became uneasy 
and had begun to consider upon making his way to the 
sea-shore alone, when Alkanor returned. 

“You have worried,” said the latter, as he placed a 
leathern bottle upon the ground, and then set a basket 
down by his side. 

“ A little,” answered the youth. 

“Well, well, we must make the more haste in the 
time we have left. See, I have water in this bottle ; 
and in this basket I have bread. We can put our fruit 
in here, and thus carry it the more easily.” 

The grapes and figs were put in with the bread, and 
then Alkanor picked up both bottle and basket and 
started on again. Alaric offered to carry one of them. 

“ No,” said the freedman. “ I am abundantly able, 
with much strength to spare ; while you may need all 
the energies you can command when we are clear of 
this. A little nearer, and I will tell thee why I was 
gone so long.” 

The youth approached to his companion's side, when 
the latter resumed : 

“ I had to go very near to the master’s house to gain 
admission to the lodge of the prison, and as I came out 


194 


Alarzc. 


I heard voices close at hand, which I discovered to be 
those of Torus and his two guests, and as I heard your 
name pronounced I could not but stop a moment to 
listen. The man called Flavius asked the master if he 
could put confidence in his slaves ; whereupon 
Torus replied that he had a perfect confidence in them. 
However, they had become uneasy at the delay, and I 
left them just starting off for the place where I was 
directed to have you slain. So they will very soon have 
their suspicions aroused, and it may not be long before 
the search will be commenced.’' 

‘‘ If we gain the shore, and find a boat, we may be far 
at sea ere the night is passed,” said Alaric, hopefully. 

O ! I am sure of the boat,” returned Alkanor. 

Just beyond this point is one belonging to us. That 
is, it should be there, though some of the fisher- 
men may be out with it, as they do occasionally pull out 
after dark. But we shall be sure to find one some- 
where.” 

A small promontory was passed, which brought them 
to a narrow inlet, and there they saw the boat, pulled 
partly up on the sand. It was a well-built, stout craft, 
with four oars, and capable of seating twenty persons. 
The freedman placed the bottle and basket on board, 
and then pushed her into the water ; and, when Alaric 
had gained a footing within, he leaped in himself, giv- 
ing one more push as he did so. 

“ Now for the oars, and let us be — 

He was cut short in his speech by a loud voice from 
the shore ; and, upon looking up, he saw the outlines of 
a man, revealed against the open sky, just coming over 
the promontory. 

“ Hello !” shouted the new comer. ‘‘Who are you 
with my boat ?” 

“Only going after fish,” returned Alkanor, disguising 


Pursuit, 


J95 


his voice as much as possible. Be back in an hour/’ 
Then, turning to Alaric, he added : 

To the oars, quick ! It is only old Gossaff, the fisher- 
man.” 

And in a few minutes more the boat was darting out 
from the inlet. 

Hallo-l-o-o !” shouted the fisherman. 

But he received no further answer. 

“We must pull hard for awhile,” said the Egyptian, 
when they had gained the open sea. “ This fellow’s 
unlucky appearance may set pursuers upon our track.” 

Alaric bent himself to the oar with all his power, nor 
did he think of fatigue while the peaks of the Cartha- 
ginian heights could be seen against the starry sky. 


CHAPTER XX. 

PURSUIT. 

The night was calm and still, and the swelling 
bosom of the sea was almost unruffled. Until near 
midnight Alaric remained at his oar, and then Alkanor 
told him he had better take some rest. At first he 
refused, and declared that he needed no respite yet. 

“ Ah,” replied the other, “ I can see better than that. 
I can see that thou art much shaken by thy labors ; 
and well thou mayest be, for thou hast performed far 
more than many a strong, well man could have endured. 
And, beside, we know not what the morrow may bring 
forth. Thy strength may be needed then more than 
now. So rest awhile, and I will call thee when there is 


ig6 


Alarzc. 


The youth could not hide from himself that his 
endurance had been tried almost to its extreme capac- 
ity, so he finally resigned his oar, and having eaten a 
few grapes, he lay down in the bottom of the boat, and 
was soon buried in a profound slumber. When he was 
awakened it was by feeling a heavy hand upon his 
shoulder. He started up and gazed about him, and it 
seemed to be some moments ere he remembered where 
he was. It was still dark — darker than when he lay 
down — for a thick haze had settled upon the water and 
the stars were shut out. 

“ Are you awake ?’' the freedman asked. 

Yes, perfectly ; and I feel stronger,** replied the 
youth. ‘‘ But it has grown darker.’* 

“ Aye, and yet it must be near morning. This mist 
has only been upon the water a short time, and the sun 
will soon dispel it, so even if I be steering wrong now, 
we shall not be long from our true course. But I 
awoke thee not for this. Bend thine ear to the water 
and tell me what thou hearest.** 

Alaric did as requested, and presently he started up. 

I hear the fall of oars ]** he cried. 

Art sure ?** 

‘‘Yes. I cannot be mistaken.** 

“So I have thought. In what direction do they 
sound ?’* 

“ Thus,’* replied Alaric, pointing with his hand. 

“ So they appeared to me. They may be pursuers, 
my brother.** 

“ But how long have you heard them ?” 

“ Only a few miiiutes before I awakened thee. As 
soon as I felt sure I gave thee a push. They seem to 
have come from the track we have pursued, and I feel 
confident that they are after us. Of course old Gossaff 
told of the stealing of his boat ; and as soon as our 


Pursuit. 197 


absence was discovered, and his story told, the master 
would know quite well what course to pursue. It was 
most unfortunate that the old busy-body saw us as he 
did. However, courage ! If you can bend to your oar 
we may leave them far behind ere the day breaks.** 

The youth took his oar, and pulled right bravely ; 
but, ever and anon, as they stopped to listen, they 
found that the coming craft was gaining on them. 

It is a heavy boat,*’ said Alkanor, heavier far than 
ours ; and I judge that it must be one of the master’s 
barges. If it is we cannot pull away from it.** 

“ Would it not be best to turn from our course ?” sug- 
gested Alaric. 

‘‘We might try it.’* 

And the suggestion was acted upon, but without 
avail. 

“ They can hear our oars as well as we can hear 
theirs,” said Alkanor. 

“ Then if we lie still, may they not pass us ?** was the 
youth’s next suggestion. 

And that was tried, and in a few moments more the 
fall of the unseen oars also ceased. Yet it was finally 
concluded to remain as they were until daylight. 

“ For,” said Alkanor, “ if they are enemies we shall 
not escape them by going on, and, as we are now surely 
turned from the right course, we may only be pulling 
far out of our way for nothing.” 

In a little while the daylight 'came, and when the sun 
arose, a gentle zephyr moved upon the face of the 
waters, and the fog began to rise. Our adventurers 
could now see their pursuer very plainly- — for pursuer it 
was, being no less than the wine-grower’s largest barge, 
manned by fifteen of his slaves, with the master him- 
self at the helm. 

“There is no use in pulling,” said Alkanor, as his 


igS 


Alaric. 


companion made a movement towards his oar. “ They 
would overhaul us without difficulty. We must face 
them. What say you Y* 

‘‘ I am ready to face anything,” returned Alaric. 
‘‘By the power of Right, you shall not find my arm 
weak.” 

“ Good ! Those fellows are armed only with short 
swords. I think I could hold them a warm fight alone ; 
but both of us, if we are careful, can hold them at bay a 
while at least. They are not swordsmen.” 

As soon as Torus discovered the fugitives, he ordered 
his slaves to approach them, and then he turned and 
make a signal to some one else. 

“ By the Sacred Bull I” cried Alkanor, “there is 
another barge with more men in it. Do you see Y* 

Alaric looked in the direction pointed out, and saw 
the second barge plainly. 

“ She has fifteen men also,” the freedman added, 
“ and the overseer Hakim has command. If they both 
reach us — ” 

He was cut short in his speech by Torus, who had 
now approached to within a few yards, and who cried 
out, in a loud, angry voice : 

“ Fall down, ye villainous traitor, and yield thyself up 
ere the swords of my slaves let out thy blood !” 

“ Hold !” returned the Egyptian, with a wave of the 
hand. “ Come not upon us thinking to make an easy 
conquest, for we shall fight to the death !” 

“ Dog !” shouted the master, shaking his fist in the 
air, “ put up that sword or I'll have thee flayed alive ! 
By the gods, thou shalt wear thy chains again for this, 
and heavy ones, too ! Run up by the side of their 
boat,” he added to his slaves, “ and seize and bind the 
wretches. Cut them down if they offer resistance !” 

“ Alaric,” spoke the Egyptian, in a hurried tone, and 


Pursuit. 


199 


with a suddenness of manner that had much of confi- 
dence in it, do you put up your sword, and take a more 
effective weapon. Seize an oar, and keep our boat so 
that only her bows shall be presented to the barge. If 
you can do this, I can handle those fellows for a pastime.'’ 

However loath the youth may have been to resign his 
sword, and leave all the real fighting to his companion, 
he at once saw the advantage to be gained by the 
manoeuver, and he proceeded to follow the instructions 
as quickly as possible. He had just time to grasp the oar 
as the barge came alongside, and by a dexterous pull he 
forced the stern of his own boat off, so that only her 
bows were open to the attack of the enemy. And this 
position he managed to maintain, though it cost him 
extreme labor, and taxed his wit and ingenuity to the 
utmost. 

In the meantime Alkanor was performing what was 
for him as easy work. Not more than two of the slaves 
could reach him at the same time, and he cut them 
down as though they had been vsheaves of dry grain. 
Those who were in advance would have shrunk back 
from his gigantic arm, but their companions in the rear 
pushed them forward. 

Cut the dog down !” yelled the master, in frenzied 
tones. Down with him ! Bring the vessels side by side r 

But both these orders were more easily given than 
obeyed, because the Egyptian would not be cut down, 
and the labors of the Sicilian were proof against all 
their efforts to get the barge alongside the boat. 

“ Take to the water ! Leap, some of you !” shouted 
Torus, who was too far gone with madness to reason 
calmly. 

But his slaves, who had the work to perform and the 
brunt to bear, could see more clearly. They had seen 
six of their number cut down by the Herculean freed- 


200 


Alarzc, 


man, and they knew that, even in a fair field, they 
could have been no match for him, so they fell back to 
save their own lives. 

“ Why don’t you cut the traitorous villain down ?” 
cried the master, stamping with rage. Will ye give 
up so ? By the fires of Tartarus, I’ll spit thee every 
one, and roast thee alive for my dogs i Foward ! 
Down with him !” 

And again those behind pushed ahead to get out of the , 
way of their maddened master, and those in front i 
leaped into the sea, rather than fall beneath the : 
trenchant blade of the Egyptian giant. 

Finally, when only five of the slaves were left in the i 
barge alive, one of them, who seemed to have more wit 
than his companions, turned to his master and said: 

If we should wait for Hakim we might capture 
them easily for then we could attack them upon both 
sides at the same time, and this huge fellow would lose 
his vantage ; but he is a mountain of strength now.*’ 

The master was at first furious that his slave should ! 

■j 

dare to advise him ; but when he came to consider 
upon the matter, he became more cool, and suffered his 
barge to drop away from the fugitives' boat. The 
other barge was now within a very short distance, and 
would soon be upon the spot. Torus shouted for his 
overseer to hurry up, and from his manner, he seemed 
now to consider his prey perfectly safe. 

“ We’ll both have fighting to do now,"* said our hero, ^ 
as he watched the coming of Hakim and his crew. 

Yes,** responded the other, resting the dripping 
point of his sword upon the thwart by his sideo But 
still we shall be able to gain an advantage. You can 
plant yourself in one end of our boat, and I in the I 
other, and thus not more than two can reach us at the 
same time.** 


Pursuit. 


201 


“ But you forget/’ remarked Alaric. “ They may lay 
their boats along upon either side of us, and not board 
us at all, and thus we shall have an enemy upon both 
sides of us at the same moment. Such is their plan, I 
am sure.” 

I see, I see,” replied Alkanor, with an expression of 
trouble. I had not thought of that. But they’ll not 
take us alive.” 

At this moment they heard Torus utter an exclama- 
tion of surprise, and, upon looking towards him, they 
saw him pointing to the eastward, and calling the atten- 
tion of his overseer to something in that direction. The 
fog had now risen completely from the water, and been 
swept away, and as the fugitives gazed off in the direc- 
tion indicated by the master’s movements, they saw a 
vessel, carrying many oars, bearing down towards them. 

“ Is she not of Syracuse ?” asked Alkanor. 

She is,” replied Alaric ; ‘‘ or at least, so I should 
judge from her appearance.” 

“ But it is not the same which lay at the shore when 
we left,” said the freedman. 

“ No,” answered the youth. This is larger. But it 
may be one upon the same errand.” 

“ By the host of Mars,” cried Alkanor, ^‘if such should 
be the case, I should say that we had found our fate be- 
yond all doubt. But she may only be a trader.” 

The youth could now see the coming vessel very 
plainly, for the last film of mist was gone, and she was 
not over half a mile distant. He knew that she was a 
; Sicilian craft, and, by the direction in which she came, 
he judged that she must be now from the island. 

‘‘ Can you guess whether she be friend or foe ?” asked 
the Egyptian. 

“ I cannot.” 

Alkanor was about to ask another question, when he 


202 


Alartc. 


noticed a movement on the part of the barges, which 
had now come together, and lay only a short distance 
off. 

“ We’ll seize the dogs at once !” he heard the master 
say. “ Let the ship be what she will, she dare not inter- 
fere with ns. And then the barges were put in motion, 
and Torus remained standing by his helmsman, urging 
his bondmen to hasten with their work. 

“ Would ye rather trust the barges or the ship ?” said 
Alkanor, hesitating between his sword and his oar. 

If we meet the barges first, we shall have to meet 
the ship all the same,” returned Alaric, who had been 
thinking over the matter ; for, be she friend or toe, 
she will surely overhaul us to find out the occasion of 
our difficulty. So we had better trust to our oars, pull 
for the ship, and bide the result.” 

This seemed to be just Alkanor’s view of the case, 
for, without further remark he took the oar, and, in a 
moment more their boat was in motion. They could 
not have held a long race with the barges, but for so 
short a distance as that before them they were safe. It 
was only a few minutes — not more than five — when they 
found themselves directly under the vessel’s bows, and 
in a few seconds more Alkanor had seized a rope which 
hung from her side. 

‘‘Who is this?” demanded a voice from the high deck. 

Alaric drew in his oar and gazed up, and the first face 
he saw looking down on him was that of the old fisher- 
man, Glycon. And next he saw Maro, the same who 
had brought news to Artabanus, at the mountain cave, 
of the martyrdom of the silversmith. And as he still 
gazed he saw more faces which he knew. He turned to 
his companion, and joyfully cried : 

O Alkanor, they are friends ! They are brothers !” 

By this time those on board the vessel had recognized 


Pursuit. 


203 


the 5"outh, for glad exclamations Tent the air, and there 
was a hurrying of men to and fro, to make preparations 
for taking him to the deck. Ropes were quickly thrown 
him over the side, and the fugitives had fairly gained 
a footing within the ship as the barges came up. 

Who are these that pursue you V asked Maro, hold- 
ing the youth by a warm, glad grasp. 

“ Enemies,” answered Alaric. “ He who stands there 
is Torus, and he has held me as a bondman. The others 
are his slaves. We two have escaped, and they would 
capture us. This is Alkanor, and he is our brother.” 

You wish nothing of him but to be free from him ?” 

‘‘That’s all. Let him and his slaves go without 
further harm.” 

Maro then turned to the captain of the ship, and 
ordered him to put about, and make all haste for home. 

“ What, ho !” shouted the Carthaginian, “ye will not 
take those men off. Let me come on board. They are 
my slaves !” 

“ Not so,” returned Maro, as the ship began to go 
about. “ One of these is a Sicilian, and of a blood that 
cannot be enslaved.” 

The barges were obliged to get out of the way of the 
long, heavy oars of the vessel, and when this feat was 
accomplished they were left under the stern. 

“ Pirates ! dogs !” yelled Torus, “ give me back my 
slaves !” 

But Maro made him no answer. The ship kept on, 
and the furious vine-grower was left in the distance, to 
vent his curses and imprecations upon the senseless air, 
and upon those of his own household who surrounded 
him. For a while he followed in the Sicilian’s wake ; 
but he soon saw the folly of such an attempt, and bis 
barges were finally turned back towards the shores of 
Carthage. 


Atarzc. 


:204 


Alaric’s friends now crowded about him, and when 
they had seen him seated and somewhat recovered from 
the excitement of the occasion, they asked him concern- 
ing his adventures, and he told them his story. He 
told of leaving the hermit’s cave ; of meeting the four 
soldiers ; of his conflict with them, and its result ; of his 
passage with the pirate ; of his being sold to Torus ; 
of the coming of Flavius and Zared ; of the master’s 
plans for his death, and then of the strange recognition 
of Alkanor, and his noble conduct afterwards. The 
listeners were fllled with wonder at the story ; but they 
forgot not the generous Egyptian. They embraced him 
as a friend and a brother, and pledged him their love 
and fidelity forevermore. 

“ And now,” said our hero, “ explain to me how you 
happened so opportunely to come upon us.” 

“ With pleasure,” returned Maro. ‘‘ I need not now 
tell you all we have suffered of fear and anxiety on your 
behalf. We soon learned of your conflict with the 
soldiers, and also that you had been borne away by a 
strange vessel. We sent to sea in every direction, but 
could hear nothing of you, until we learned from one of 
our brethren at the palace that the king had gained 
intelligence of you, and that two of his officers were to be 
sent after you. On the following morning we learned 
that these officers had instructions to sail for a point of 
the coast directly east from Carthage, and not many 
leagues distant, and that they were to find you in a vine- 
yard there. We immediately fitted out this vessel, and 
made all possible haste, but the king’s officers had much 
the start of us ; though, under the blessing of heaven, 
we have been favored with success.” 

Alaric was much fatigued, and so was his companion, 
and they were conducted to comfortable berths, where 
they soon fell asleep, and slept soundly until near night- 


A Dangerous Experiment, 


205 


fall. It was near midnight when the ship anchored off 
the coast of Sicily, and the craftsmen at once landed 
and proceeded, by a dubious, covered way, to the cot of 
Glycon, where they found the hermit, Artabanus. The 
old man embraced his pupil with tears of joy and grat- 
itude, and when he had been introduced to, and had wel- 
comed the worthy Egyptian, he led the way to. the foot 
of the mountain, and thence to the entrance of the sub- 
terranean passage ; and long before morning the whole 
party were in the chambers of the temple, where Alka- 
nor found his heart expanding with new friendships 
and where Alaric found plans for the mystic future still 
under consideration, and himself as important an ele- 
ment as ever. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT. 

Alaric very soon recovered from his fatigue under the 
kind care of his brethren, and attended several meetings 
in the mystic chamber where he had received his initi- 
ation ; and Alkanor, who had proved himself a most 
worthy brother, was also permitted to attend. And 
there were meetings held to which the youth was not 
admitted ; and when he asked why he was thus excluded, 
he was informed that he had not advanced far enough 
to give him the privilege of attendance. . Yet at these 
gatherings it was permitted to Alkanor to be present, 
for he had worked in the higher departments. 

Rest you easy for the while,'' said Artabanus, as he 
took a seat by the youth’s side. It was in the evening, 


206 


Alaric, 


and they had just come out from the place of meeting. 
“ You have seen and heard enough to know that what 
is meant for a secret must be sacredly kept as such. 
But ere long thou shalt receive light in full.” 

Do not mistake me,” returned Alaric. “ I ask for 
no secret which does not concern me ; but I cannot help 
seeing that there is some strange destiny hanging over 
me, and I feel sure that you can read it to me if you 
will.” 

I might read to you many things,” answered the old 
hermit. “ Things which would interest you, but which 
it is not permitted me to do. There is no law which 
might not, at some time, under some peculiar case, be 
suspended for the benefit of some individual ; and yet 
it would not do to establish so dangerous a prece- 
dent as the setting aside of a fixed and necessary law 
in any case, or under any circumstances. There is not 
a law in nature which might at any time be set aside to 
the benefit of some particular individual ; yet the true 
man will not complain of the laws which God has estab- 
lished, nor seek to violate them. Now, the law under 
which I am bound to keep certain matters a secret was 
established for a most laudable purpose ; and, could it 
be broken — were those who were bound by it to be 
their own judges of when it should be kept, and when 
disregarded, both you and I might not be safe another 
hour.” 

“ Pardon me,” said the youth. ‘‘ I think I understand 
you now. But can you not tell me how much longer 
this danger is to last ? How much longer must I remain 
secluded in fear of my very life ?” 

“ It shall not be long, my son. Be hopeful on that 
score.” 

“ And one more thing. Whe^e is Bellerns ? Is he 
dead ?” 


A Dangerous Experiment. 


207 


I cannot tell thee, Alaric ; yet I will own that it is 
generally believed that he has fallen.’* 

“ And shall not his death be avenged ?” 

“ Thou shalt see.” 

A few moments the youth remained silent, and then 
he resumed : 

“ Thou hast assured me that lanthe is safe.** 

So she is, my son.** 

‘‘ Then let me see her.** 

I cannot bring her hither.** 

Then let me go to her.” 

'' Ah ! there is danger. Thou hast seen already how 
the enemy lurks upon thy track. Why not restrain thy 
love for a while ?** 

“ I would if it were within reason ; but I feel that I 
can meet her somewhere. If she cannot come hither, 
and I cannot go whither she is, why may she not be 
conveyed to some place near here where I can meet 
her ? Do not deny me this.” 

Artabanus said he would reflect upon it ; and shortly 
afterwards he took his departure, leaving his pupil with 
Alkanor, who had just come in. 

When the old man left the temple he proceeded to 
the place where shelter had been found for lanthe, and 
was at once admitted to her presence. 

O ! good Artabanus,** she cried, as soon as she saw 
the old hermit, have you brought Alaric with you ?*' 
No, my sweet child ; it was not safe.’* 

And when will it be safe ? Alas ! I fear me much 
that it is not all true as you tell me. There is some- 
thing binding upon me in that ceremony with the king !” 

‘‘ lanthe,” replied the hermit, with a touch of reproof 
in his tone, I tell thee again — there is not the shadow 
of an obligation made binding upon thee by that wicked 


2o8 


A laric. 


mockery. Thou art the same to Alaric as thou wert 
before, and he is the same to thee.” 

“ Then let me see him. If my father Bellerus be 
dead, why shall I be kept from the only living one to 
whom my whole heart has been given? O! good 
Artabanus, wilt thou not lead me to him ?” 

“ It ought not so to be ; and yet thou almost per- 
suadest me to be a fool, and go against my own sense. 
Alaric, too, is equally clamorous to see thee.” 

Ah, Artabanus, thou shouldst not have told the 
maiden that. Thou, who hast read so much, shouldst 
have known the human heart better ! 

No sooner did Ia.nthe hear the words than she beset 
the old man more strongly than before. 

Women are not stopped in the streets, as men were 
when Alaric was searched for, are they ?” she asked. 

No,” replied the hermit. 

“ And has a woman yet been stopped by the guard in 
any search for me ?” 

Not that I know of.” 

“ Or is there any effort being made for my appre- 
hension ?” 

r do not know of any. In fact, I think the king dares 
not make any such, for he would not have anything 
known concerning thee, even among his own guards.” 

“ Then,” cried the maiden, with a show of determina- 
tion, “ carry me to him. We can find plenty of dis- 
guises.” 

At this point Eudora was summond, and Artabanus 
asked her if she thought she could so disguise her 
charge that she could not be recognized. 

Now the old woman had been besought so often and 
so urgently by the maiden upon this very matter, that 
when she met the imploring glance of the anxious, 
eager one, she said she could. 


A Dangerous Experiment. 


209 


“Well,” replied the hermit, somewhat reluctantly, 
“ you may try your hand at it, and, if you succeed, per- 
haps I will take the incorrigible girl with me. Yet I 
do it not willingly. I would rather it were not so.” 

But lanthe was not to be persuaded. Her great love 
blinded her to danger, and while Artabanus did not 
forbid her, she resolved to run the risk. She had great 
faith in her old nurse's ability to disguise her, and she 
fancied there could be no peril if she was thoroughly 
concealed from recognition. 

* Ht Ht Ht Ht Ht Hs 

Flavius and Zared had returned from Carthage, and 
they brought with them the report that Alaric was 
dead, for so Torus had told them. He had assured them 
that he had seen the youth killed and cast into the sea, 
and they were forced to take his word for it ; so they 
had paid him the heavy price in gold, and come away. 
They could not give the king positive assurance of the 
truth of the vine-grower's report, but they nevertheless 
felt much confidence in it. They knew that the barges 
had met and engaged somebody, for they returned with 
ten men killed ; and the story w^hich Torus told them 
seemed reasonable. 

“It is wondrous strange,'' said Pyrrho, after he had 
heard the story. “ How could the youth have turned the 
heart of that huge slave who had been faithful to his 
trust for so many years ? By the heavens, he must be 
possessed of some strange power.” 

But the king finally resolved that he would consider 
Alaric dead until he had some positive assurance to the 
contrary ; so he dismissed the officers who had brought 
him the information, and was then ready to attend to his 
captain, who had been waiting for a private audience. 

“ Now, good Claudian, I am ready for thee,” he said. 


210 


A laric. 


He was nervous and excited in his manner, and walked 
continually about to hide and keep down his perturba- 
tion as much as possible. 

“ I have had men of ready wit upon the watch, sire,’* 
the captain replied, ‘‘ but have as yet gained nothing 
which is directly to the point. That there is some 
deeply-rooted plot in the city I am satisfied ; but I 
know not where to strike. Yet one thing I have learned 
which may be of much consequence. My spies have 
brought me some intelligence of the old hermit who 
lives in the cave upon the mountain. 

“ Ha !” cried the king, stopping in his walk. You 
mean old Artabanus ?** 

‘^Yes.** 

Him I have suspected ere this. What have ye 
learned ?’* 

That the youth Alaric must have been concealed 
by him in his cave.*’ 

Is this so ? Have ye proof ?’* 

We have proof enough. He must have come down 
the mountain when he met the four soldiers, whom he 
slew. And then we have heard, and do know, that he 
was once the youth’s tutor, and loved him well.” 

By Jove ! *tis proof enough. But hear me further, 
sire : This hermit has been seen in the city of late, and 
he wears a serious, troubled aspect. He has been seen 
here late at night. Some of my men, who were disguised 
as women, have met him, but could not follow him.” 

Why not ?’* 

Because he would disappear into strange places 
which they could not find.” 

By the gods infernal ! Are we fallen upon times of 
sorcery and magic ?’* 

So it would almost seem, sire. At all events, we 
are fallen upon times where there is need of action.** 


A Dangerous Experiment. 


Ill 


‘‘ Good Claudian, thou speakest truly/' cried the 
monarch, stopping again. “ And action well have. By 
the throne of my kingdom, 111 not rest till I know some- 
thing of this thing. Do ye think this old hermit is in 
the city now ?" 

“ If he is I can easily find out, sire ; for I have guards 
posted where the people do not dream of it. Ha ! ha ! 

I have some three hundred of my men of smallest 
stature dressed in female garbs, and they are not mis- 
trusted.'’ 

“ But one word, captain, ere I forget it," said the king, 
hesitating as though he had been about to speak of 
something else. How is it with the temple of 
Diana ?" 

‘‘ That still bothers me, sire. Agrippa is yet there, 
and many people flock thither. We dare not interfere 
at present." 

“ But we shall be interfered with ! I’ll have him • 
within my power by some means. He has been prat- 
ing long enough. Put your wits at work, my captain." 

So I have had them at work, sire, for many days— 
aye, for weeks — but to no effect. He will not come to 
the palace willingly, and I cannot force him from his 
sacred place. The people will not see the holy places 
profaned." 

“ Well, well'; we’ll think and talk of him anon. Go 
now in search of this old hermit, and, if ye find him, 
bring him hither. If there be treason in his old body 
I’ll have it out of him. Hasten, for it is getting late." 

‘‘ I may not find him at this time of night, sire ; but 
I’ll make inquiries, and if we find him not within the 
city, we’ll send on the morrow to the mountain." 

Thus speaking the captain withdrew, and the king 
then sent for his chamberlain, to whom he related what 
had transpired. 




Alartc. 


I know the old man well, your majesty,” said Don- 
atus. I have never suspected him of evil, because I 
never had my suspicions turned in that direction ; but 
I do know that he would make a most dangerous enemy, 
for he is not only deeply versed in all manner of learn- 
ing, but he is much loved and honored by the people 
I know he was a warm friend to Helixus — ” 

Ha ! was he ?' 

“ Yes ; and I think his tutor, too. I am sure Helixus 
learned of him.” 

Then, by the swords of Mars, he may be possessed 
of knowledge which he should not have. But Til have 
him ere long and when I have him I’ll make such use 
of him as I deem best.” 

The king walked up and down the room awhile, and 
presently his thoughts fell into another channel. 

‘‘ Donatus,” when he stopped again, how long is it 
since the lady lanthe escaped from me ?” 

It has been seven weeks, sire, as I have counted.” 

‘‘ Aye, so it has. And yet my slaves have been able 
to gain no trace of her. I wish I dared trust the guard 
with that secret. We might gain her thus.” 

“ But that would not answer, sire.” 

‘‘ I know — I know,” quickly rejoined Pyrrho. ‘‘ With 
all my anxiety I would not trust that secret in unsafe 
hands. But, Donatus, I have a strong hope that we 
shall soon be able to probe this strange mystery ; and 
when we once gain a starting point, we will push matters 
to the very extreme.” 

After this the king fell into another fit of musing 
and for more than half an hour he walked up and down 
without speaking. Finally, however, he stopped, and 
looked into his chamberlain’s face. There was an 
eager, anxious expression upon his countenance, and 
his lips were firmly compressed. 


A Dangerous Experiment. 


213 


‘‘ Donatus,” he said, for eight years I have held this 
throne, and I have sat firmly upon it. Do yon think I 
could be hurled from it now ?*' 

‘‘ I should hope not, sire.*’ 

Aye, and I will not be !” the monarch cried with a 
stamp of the foot. I have swords enough at my com- 
mand to hold me here. Say, Donatus, my soldiers could 
not prove treacherous ?” 

The chamberlain may have thought how many deeds 
of injustice and cruelty Pyrrho had done to his soldiers, 
in fits of rage and anger ; but he was spared the neces- 
sity of replying by the entrance of a page, who 
announced that the captain of the guard was at hand, 
and sought admittance. 

“ Ah, good Claudian,” cried the king, as his captain 
entered, ‘‘ I see success stamped upon thy very face. 
Hast brought Artabanus ?*’ 

“ I have, sire.” 

‘‘ And had ye any difficulty in taking him V' 

‘‘ No, sire ; I prepared for that beforehand. When I 
reached the square of Diana’s Fountain, I was informed 
by my private guard that the hermit had passed there 
twice, and would be likely to pass again. They pointed 
out the route he had taken, and I laid my plan to have 
him arrested without noise or confusion. To this end I 
selected a dark nook, by which he would return, if he 
came as before, and there posted ten of my men, being 
careful that they were entirely concealed. And I was 
fortunate in my selection, for not many minutes after- 
wards the old man came along, and with him was a 
boy. We rushed upon them both with such suddenness 
and concert, that they were bound and gagged ere they 
could cry out for help ; and forthwith with me brought 
them hither.” 

“ Bring them before me— bring them before me — 


214 


Alaric, 


both — both — both of them,” commanded the king. 
And when he had thus spoken, he went and seated 
himself upon his chair of state. 

In a few moments Artabanus was led into the royal 
presence, and with him came a boy, habited in the garb 
of a mason’s apprentice. The prisoners were still 
bound, but the bandages had been removen from their 
mouths. Artabanus slood firm and unshaken, though 
there were shades upon his face which betrayed much 
trouble. The youth, however, trembled violently, and 
seemed overwhelmed with fear and apprehension. 

“ Thou art Artabanus, the hermit ?” said the king, 
gazing into the old man’s face with a scowl of malig- 
nant cast. 

I am,” was the prisoner’s reply. 

“ And who is this companion of thine ?” 

“ A poor child whom I was conducting home.” 

‘‘ How now, boy,” cried the king, “why dost thou 
tremble so ? What hast thou done that thou shouldst 
fear me? Hold up thy head, and let me see thy face- 
Perdition ! does he not hear ? Claudian, lift the boy’s 
head !” 

As this command was given, the youth started quickly 
nearer to the hermit, and cast a glance towards the 
captain. Donatus, who had been watching the light, 
graceful, quaking form most narrowly, caught a view of 
the features as the head was raised, and with a sudden 
exclamation of wonder and astonishment he pushed the 
captain back, and then darted towards the throne. 

“Sire,” he whispered, in a gasping tone, “it is the 
lady Ian the !” 

“No!” 

“ It is, as I tell thee I Order out the guard at once !” 

As soon as the first overwhelming effect of this 
announcement could be overcome, the monarch leaped 


The Tyrant in Power. 


215 


to his feet. The motion caused the prisoners both to 
glance upon him, and he saw the maiden's features 
plainly. 

“ Claudian,’* he commanded, in quick, husky tones. 

Thou mayest leave us, and take thy men with thee. 
Thou hast done nobly — nobly, I say ! And thou shalt 
be rewarded, too, my most fortunate captain T’ 


CHAPTER XXII. 

THE TYRANT IN POWER. 

As soon as the king was left alone with his chamber- 
lain and the prisoners, he darted towards the maiden 
and caught her by the arm. She uttered a low cry of 
terror as she felt the hand of Pyrrho upon her, and 
would have shrunk away had he not drawn her towards 
him. For a moment there was a flaming light in the 
old hermit's eye, and once he raised his foot as though 
he would plant it upon the tyrant’s body ; but by a 
mighty effort — an effort which required all his powers 
of mind and body — he restrained himself, and sacrificed 
his present emotions to the duties which had their result 
in the future. 

“ Aha !” the monarch cried, as he tore off the boy’s 
cap, and saw the glossy tresses fall in a shower upon 
her shoulders, ‘‘ I have found thee, have I ? And thou 
art thus returned to thy husband.” 

“ Husband ?” repeated Artabanus, in a tone of intense 
feeling, as though he would have hurled the lie back 
into the teeth of the tyrant. 

Aye, old man — she is my wife ! Dost see an3dhing 


2I6 


Alartc. 


wondrous in that ? But I’ll send her to a place of safety 
now, and question thee apart.” Thus speaking, the 
king clapped his hands thrice, and a page entered, who 
was commanded to go and bring the chief of the 
eunuchs. 

Now, pretty one, we’ll lay our plans more surely 
than before,” Pyrrho resumed, turning again to the 
maiden. ‘‘ Thou shalt not suffer from such unwarrant- 
able intrusions as before ; and I have a place prepared 
where the casements be not left open to let the chill night 
air in upon thee ! Oho ! thou shalt be most excellently 
cared for !” 

Presently the eunuch made his appearance. 

“ Mestor, dost know this person ?” the king cried, 
pointing to the disguised maiden. 

All good spirits bless me 1 it is the lady ” 

“ My wife, thou meanst, slave I” 

Aye, sire, it is thy wife.” 

“ And now mark me !” resumed Pyrrho, moving his 
finger up and down with significant expression, and 
speaking slowly and sternly ; I place her again in your 
charge, and with your life shall you answer for her ! If 
you know not how to guard her, then who should ?” 

She shall be guarded, sire, so that not even a mouse 
can gain access to her apartment without my know- 
ledge.” 

“ It is well. Thou knowest whither to convey her. 
Take her hence, and be thou responsible.” 

Up to this time Ian the had not spoken, but when the 
huge black approached her she leaped towards the 
hermit, and laid her head upon his bosom. She strug- 
gled mightily to rend the bonds that confined her arms, 
but she could not do it. 

‘‘ Help ! O, mercy !” she shrieked. “ Father ! father ! 
Artabanus ! is there no hope V' 


The Tyrant in Power. 


217 


For a moment there was a convulsion of the old man’s 
frame, even as though the heaving, swelling bosom 
would burst. His arms strove against the cruel bonds, 
and his teeth were ground together like the stones of a 
mill, in his great agony. But finally he conquered, and 
as the paroxysm passed away he said in a whisper : 

‘‘ Suffer them now, in their hour of triumph,, to do as 
they will. Jehovah is good, and His mercy endureth 
forever !” 

“ Oh ! had I obeyed thy counsel.” 

“ Obey me now, and trust a power mightier than the 
king’s.” 

” That power is not on earth !” exclaimed Pyrrho, who 
had overheard the remark. 

“ But it is in heaven !” replied the old man. 

‘‘ By the gods, ’tis not there for dogs and traitors. 
Bear her hence, Mestor. I’ll see thee ere the morning 
comes.” 

The eunuch grasped the maiden by the arm, and 
quickly bore her from the room, and when she was gone, 
the king retired to his throne and sat down, as though 
he would recover from some fatigue ere he went further. 
He rested his head upon his hand as though it ached, 
but mayhap he only sought to concentrate his thoughts. 
Finally he'started up and waved his hand towards two 
men who stood behind the throne — who always stood 
there when he was present. They were stout, well-built 
men, with skins as black as night, and had been deaf 
and dumb from childhood. They were slaves who 
could protect and obey their master, without the power 
to perceive or reveal his secrets. They understood the 
meaning of the king’s motion to them, for they walked 
at once to the bound prisoner and led him forward to 
the throne, where they remained standing by his side. 


Alartc. 


2 


Donatus approached the royal seat, and stood at his 
sovereign’s right hand. 

Now, old man,” spoke the king, bending a searching 
glance upon the prisoner, ‘‘ I have questions of import- 
ance to ask thee, and I give thee the most solemn 
assurance that thy life shall answer for thy truth and 
promptness. Wilt thou answer me ?” 

I will answer,” the old hermit responded, and he 
spoke as calmly as though he had not been troubled in 
mind during the night. 

“ Then first : Dost know the story of the life of the 
maiden who came hither with thee ?” 

‘‘ I do.” 

‘‘And didst thou know that I had made her my 
queen ?” 

“ I knew that thou hadst performed a ceremony with 
that seeming effect.” 

“ And dost thou know how she escaped me ?” 

“Yes. I have heard that the wonderful priest of 
Abydos led her hence.” 

“ By the tongue of Apollo, thou answerest most 
promptly so far. Let us see if thy frankness will hold 
out. Did the priest give her into thy charge ?” 

“ No. I found her at the house of a friend.” 

“ But thou wouldst have shielded her from me.” 

“ I would.” 

“ Dost thou know this priest of Abydos ?” 

“ I have seen him.” 

“ But thou knowest more. Who is he ?” 

“ He is Agrippa, and if thou hast doubts or suspicions 
concerning him, I cannot remove them.” 

“ You mean you will not.” 

“I cannot.” 

“ Has he not been in Syracuse before this, to your 
knowledge ?” 


The Tyrant in Power, 


219 


I think he haSj but I will not positively say/' 

Well, let him go. I may soon have opportunity to 
question him personally. And now tell me what thou 
knowest of a treasonable plot in this city." 

‘‘ Sire," replied the old man, betraying not the least 
sign of fear or emotion at the question, thou shouldst 
remember that I live not in the city. I know of 
nothing beyond my own sphere of action." 

Aye, and thy sphere of action has seemed to run 
very close upon our own," said the king, with some 
show of wit, “ so we would question thee. Is there not 
a plot of some kind in the city brewing against me ?" 

Against thee, sire ? Thou doest trifle with sense to 
ask such questions of me. The lady lanthe was my 
pupil, and, in memory of old friendship, I would have 
helped her„ All this I own ; but if thou hast suspicions 
running into plots and treasons, thou hast fallen upon 
the wrong man to question." 

‘‘ And thou hast given shelter to Alaric T' cried^ Pyrrho, 
gazing into the old man’s face as though he thought he 
would deny the charge. 

I have," frankly replied the hermit. “ He came to 
my cave, and I gave him both food and shelter, and had 
he acted wisely, he would not have left so secure a 
retreat" 

After this the king put many questions to Artabanus, 
some relating to Alaric, and some to lanthe, and others 
to the suspected plot ; but the old man evaded them all 
in so shrewd and cunning a manner that the inquisitor 
was completely baffled and bewildered, being fairly lost 
in a maze of his own making. Finally he motioned 
for the two mutes to lead the prisoner to the other end 
of the room, and then called his chamberlain to his side. 

“ Donatus," he said, in a low tone, what thinkest 
thou ?" 


2 20 


A laric. 


“ He is a dangerous man, sire/' . 

‘‘ But can we get any more from him ?” 

‘‘ I think not. He may know more than he has 
revealed, but I do not think it could be forced from 
him. I think the sooner he is disposed of the better." 

‘‘ Ha !" muttered the king, with a savage scowl. If 
he knew the fate that awaits him, he would not be so 
bold and free with his tongue. As sure as the Fates 
rule, Donatus, he has some knowledge of this strange 
plot." 

‘‘ I think he has, sire, but I am confident we shall 
get nothing more from him. If he is concerned, it 
must be as a leader, and we shall gain enough in put- 
ting him out of the way. We’ll have some of the 
lesser lights ere long, and from them we may torture 
all we seek." 

Perhaps thou art right, Donatus. Let us go to the 
room of the mystic vault at once. Thou shalt accom- 
pany me, and see the old man and his important secrets 
disappear together !’' 

Thus speaking, Pyrrho arose from his throne, and 
beckoned again to his mute slaves, and they followed 
him, leading the prisoner along with them. When they 
reached the door of the fatal chamber, the king threw 
it open and entered, and at once passed to the oppo- 
site side, where the secret spring was, which, when he 
had found it, he covered with his feet. The slaves had 
advanced upon the marble slab, when he motioned to 
them with his hands, and they left the prisoner and 
retired, closing the door behind them. 

Hold !" cried the monarch, as Artabanus moved his 
position very slightly. I would speak with thee one 
word more ere I conduct thee further. And, mark me, 
it is no light thing. How many in Syracuse know the 
lady lanthe’s history ?" 


The Tyrant in Power. 


221 


A light sparkled in the old man’s eyes as he 
answered : 

“ I think but very feWo I know of none save us who 
are here, and the priest of Abydos.” 

A moment the king gazed upon his prisoner, and 
while a demoniac expression rested upon his features, 
and his teeth and lips were firmly set, he pressed his 
foot upon the fatal spring. In an instant the broad slab 
flew open, and the old hermit who had stood very near 
the center of the decending portion, disappeared into 
the horrid abyss ! Pyrrho and his chamberlain both 
looked down, but they could see nothing save thick 
darkness ; an awful hush fell upon their ears from the 
infernal gloom ! The vault was closed up as before, 
and as the dull, heavy clang of the stone died away, the 
monarch turned to companion and spoke ; 

“ Thus is the tongue hushed in silence, and one more 
busy brain laid low ! And here shall the dangerous 
and suspected ones be cast as fast as they can be found. 
It is a handy place, Donatus, and saves much trouble. 
There can be no escaping from executioners here. And 
now we will attend to other matters. This has not 
moved thee, has it ?” 

“ Not a jot, sire.” 

“ I thought thou didst look a little pale about the 
lips.” ‘ 

Tut, thou shouldst not think me so weak of heart, 
your majesty. 1 am not a girl. The light of your torch 
plays you false,” 

“ Never mind. ’Tis a terrible fate, though.” 

“ More terrible in appearance than in fact,” added the 
chamberlain ; ‘‘ for the death must be very sudden ; or, 
at best, unconscious.” 

“Right, right, Donatus. And hence I claim much 
credit for my mercy.” 


222 


Alaric. 


With this bit of cruel wit, and with a triumphant smile 
upon his face, the king left the chamber of the vault, 
and locked the door behind him. 

In the meantime lanthe had been conducted to an 
apartment where, she was informed by the eunuch she 
was to remain for the time being. It was a large room, 
and well furnished. The door, she saw, was a heavy 
one, and she could tell by the sound of the bolts that 
they were massive. She found the windows to be 
guarded by bars of brass, and the stools high from the 
floor. When she had been left alone she sank down 
upon one of the couches, and gazed upon the great 
brazen lamp which the eunuch had lighted. She did 
not weep, nor did she seem to be wholly moved by fear. 
There was much of remorse in her soul, and she blamed 
herself for what had happened. And so the varied 
emotions followed each other in her bosom, now of 
Alaric, now of fear for Artabanus, who might have to 
suffer for the part he had acted ; now for other friends 
who might be implicated, and finally she broke forth 
into self-condemnation again, and most eagerly did she 
wish that she had listened to the counsel of one who 
was able to advise her. 

She had just arrived at that point where she was 
ready to fall into the dark depths of her own grief, 
when her door was opened, and the king entered. He 
had removed the crown from his head, and the royal 
robe of purple and gold had been laid aside for a 
lighter mantle of white linen. He approached to 
within a few feet of where the maiden sat, and gazed 
fixedly into her face. He did not seem very angry, nor 
very stern ; but he did show much of triumph upon his 
dark features, and in the burning of his evil eye. 

My queen !” he finally said. it was not meet that 


The Tyrant t7i Power. 




we should be so long separated. Art thou very sorry 
to be with me once again T 

lanthe returned the monarch’s look, and as she read 
the sensual expression which was stealing over his face, 
she shrank away as though from an asp. 

I am thy prisoner,” she said, pressing her hands 
tightly upon her bosom ; and thou knowest whether a 
prisoner can be glad.” 

But I say thou art no prisoner. Thou art my wife !” 

Oh ! were that fate possible, it would be worse 
than death !” 

Fool !” cried Pyrrho, in a rage, “ wouldst thou make 
thy fate worse than need be ? Here ! see !” And as 
he spoke he moved to one side of the room, and threw 
open a large door, which the maiden had not before 
discovered. Beyond was a sumptuously furnished 
chamber, within which was a bed, with the royal trap- 
pings of purple and gold. 

“ This is our nuptial chamber,” the monarch continued ; 
‘‘ and this very night thou shalt occupy the place of the 
queen ! I leave thee now for just one hour, and then I 
shall return. If I find thee not in thy place, I’ll have 
thee put there by slaves ! Dost understand me now ?” 

No ! no !” gasped the maiden, now terrified beyond 
reason. It would be too monstrous !” 

‘‘ For me to claim the right of a king in his own 
chamber, eh ? to ask obedience at the hands of his 
queen, is it ? By the loves of Venus, we shall see ! I 
go, as I have said ; and if at the end of the hour I find 
thee not upon yonder nuptial couch, my slaves shall 
put thee there ! I swear it by all my hopes of earth 
and of heaven ! This time there is no room for mis- 
hap !’' 

With this the monarch strode from the apartment, 
and as lanthe heard the heavy door clang behind him, 


Ataric, 


^^4 


and the strong- bolts thrown into their sockets, she sank 
fainting npoiT ^he floor. Presently the door opened 
again, and t?i P' chief of the eunuchs came in. He 
picked the maiden up, and bore her to the couch ; and 
there he seemed to care for her with more than a slave’s 
attention. He was eager and anxious, and a look of 
pleasure, such as he had not shown before for years, 
lighted upon his black features, as he saw the beautiful 
being open her eyes with returning life. 


♦ 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

LIGHT I LIGHT ! 

It was some time past midnight when a strange priest 
entered the Temple of Diana. His garb was like unto 
that worn by Agrippa, and he was old and toil-worn ; 
but he moved with haste, for he seemed to have a 
matter of much moment upon his hands. He sought 
the mystic chamber, and soon found him of Ab3^dos, 
with whom was the high priest, Pythion. Their confer- 
ence was short, but earnest and excited ; and, when 
they had closed, all the messengers in the temple were 
summoned, and sent off to different parts of the city. 
Then Agrippa took from a closet a bag, made of the 
finest tissue of silk-like gossamer in substance, but 
made compact by the application of fine gluten. The 
mouth of this bag, or sack, which was large in size, was 
extended by a hoop of light, metallic wire, from which 
depended a small chain of light material. A fire was 
built in a deep chafing dish, upon' which the old man 
placed combustible materials of strange compounding 


Light! Light! 


^25 


and then the mouth of the sack was held over the fitful 
blazec Gradually the body of the silken bag began to 
expand, as the light smoke arose into it, .mtil finally it 
was swelled to its utmost capacity, an ^^^emained sus- 
pended in mid-air, seeming eager to break from the 
lashing that held it down. Agrippa now produced a 
ball which he had prepared, and secured it to the end 
of the long chain that hting from the hoop ; and then 
he conveyed the whole to the rear court of the temple. 
A torch was applied to the suspended ball, and in an 
instant it burst into a flame of intense brightness, and 
shot forth sparks of gleaming fire. When the strange 
contrivance was liberated, it shot up into the air to 
an immense height, and then sailed away over the 
city, the ball of living flame glaring like some fiery 
demon, and the bright sparks still leaping forth like 
stars. The whole city was lighted up for the time, and 
long before the wondrous thing was gone the people 
had started from their beds, and rushed into the street, 
some called up by the sudden glare, while others were 
aroused by the shouts of their neighbors. 

Away sailed the mysterious orb of fire through the 
midnight sky, the people watching it with intense 
wonder, and many with fear and terror, until it finally 
disappeared from sight. The watchers gazed for a long 
time but it did not appear again, and they finally dis- 
persed. But all went not to their homes. No. There were 
many who went other ways. In the deep gloom which 
succeeded the awful light there were many persons 
moving in directions opposite from their dwellings, 
moving like spectres through the darkness — some in 
bodies, and some alone — moving eagerly and persist- 
ently on — each and all apparently having some object 
of more than ordinary import in view. Once a soldier 
stopped two of these people, who were moving on 


226 


A larzc. 


together, and asked them whither they went. They 
asked him if he had not received the light. He told 
them yes. 

“ And whence did it come T' they further asked. 

Why,'' he replied, thinking they alluded to the 
strange ball of fire which had just passed over the city. 
“ I did not see it start, but I saw it in the sky.” 

That is not our light,” said the citizen. The light 
of which we spoke came from the East.” The soldier 
would have detained them further, but they struck 
him to the earth with weapons which they had worn 
concealed about them, and then hurried on. 

Alaric was alone in one of the apartments beneath 
the temple, where he was waiting for the coming of 
Artabanus, who had promised to bring him some intel- 
ligence of lanthe. And why did not the old man come 
It had been several hours since he went away, and he 
had promised to return very quickly. The youth saw 
not the strange light which had startled the inhabi- 
tants of Syracuse ; but he had heard the sound of 
confusion in the temple, and he wondered what it 
meant. He was about to leave the apartment to seek 
an explanation, when Agrippa appeared before him. 
He had seen the venerable priest several times, and 
had been led into much wonder by his speech and 
appearance. 

Good father,” he said, with eagerness, as the priest 
turned towards him after the door was closed, “ has 
Artabanus returned ?” 

“ He has not,” replied the old man. 

Have you heard from him ?” 

Yes.” 

“ And where is he ? Why does he not come 1 Has 
anything befallen him or lanthe ?” 

“ Thou shalt hear from them anon, my son.” 


Light! Light! 


227 


‘‘And this confusion in- the temple, what is this, 
father ?’* 

“ Of that, too, thou shalt hear in proper time/' 

“But thou art excited and anxious," cried the youth, 
now for the first time noticing how the old priest com- 
pressed his lips beneath the white beard, and how his 
brow was contracted. “ Something has happened of 
startling moment. What is it T 

“ Wait a time with patience, my son, and thou shalt 
be informed." And as the priest thus spoke, he took a 
seat close by the youth’s side. 

“ Now, Alaric," he resumed, with a change in his tone 
and manner, “ I must open to thee the secret which thou 
hast been so anxious to obtain. The time has arrived, 
and the word must be spoken !" 

The youth moved nearer to the old man’s side, and 
gazed eagerly into his face. 

“ I will tell you the story, and I will tell it so that you 
shall understand it," continued Agrippa ; “ and when I 
have spoken, thou shalt find need of strength and pur- 
pose. Do you remember who ruled in Sicil)^ eighteen 
years ago ?" 

“Aye," replied Alaric, with a kindling eye. “ It was 
the good Helixus. Young as I then was, I remember 
him, for he used to be kind to me, like one who loved 
children. My father used to take me with him to the 
palace, and I remember well how the royal Helixus 
took me upon his knee, and let me play with his bright 
crown." 

“ Helixus was a good king, and a good man," pursued 
the priest ; “ and he was well-beloved by Iiis people ; 
and it is of him that I would speak. One day, Helixus 
was taken sick, and for several months he lay upon his 
bed in pain and weakness. His young wife watched 


228 


Alartc. 


with him and nursed him, and she, too, fell sick, and 
shortly died. ^ 

“ Now, there was a cousin of the king^s named Glau- 
cus, who was a powerful general in the army, and who 
had much influence with the soldiers ; and this Glaucus 
had set his heart upon the crown of Sicilyo The king 
heard of it, and he was exceedingly troubled, for he 
knew that the general was a wicked, unscrupulous man, 
and that he might succeed in a rebellion, should he 
undertake one. But the good monarch was not troubled 
for himself the most. He had a child — an infant — it 
was his only child, and he loved it most tenderly. This 
child would stand in the way of the usurper, and she 
might be cruelly murdered. It was a bright-eyed, inno- 
cent girl, and as Helixus held it to its bosom, all his 
anxiety centered upon it. In his trouble he sent for 
Artabanus, who had been his tutor and his counsellor, 
and spoke to him. ^ I care not for myself,^ he said, ^ for 
I have but a few short days to live at best ; but for my 
innocent child I have much fear. She is my only heir, 
and she will surely be slain by the usurper who would 
gain the throne. What shall I do with her T 

It was finally arranged that the infant should be 
secretly conveyed from the palace, and Artabanus 
promised that he would find a safe refuge for it. It was 
so done, and when people asked the king where the 
child was, he answered that he did not know. He said 
she had been taken from him, and he knew not whither 
she had been carried ; and in all this he spoke truly, for 
he did not know what disposition Artabanus had made 
of the infant. After this good Helixus failed rapidly, 
and finally Glaucus raised the standard of rebellion. 
The feeble king heard of it, and he desired to escape 
from the assassin’s knife, and die in peace. So Arta- 
banus contrived to have him secretly conveyed to the 


Light ! Light! 


22g 


temple, and from thence he was carried out by the sub- 
terranean passage, and borne to the hermit’s cave on 
Mount Catalano. 

‘^On the very next day Glaucus marched into the 
city, and took the throne. He caused search to be made 
for Helixus, but the dying monarch could not be found, 
and the usurper finally gave up the idea of finding him, 
thinking he must have died, and been secretly buried. 
Only a few days passed of life to Helixus after he was 
removed to the mountain, but during the brief time he 
had his senses perfectly, and made arrangements with 
Artabanus for the care of his child. He still looked 
upon the throne as his, and he felt that he had the right 
to name his successor. So he declared that he gave his 
sceptre to his beloved child ; and he left it with the 
hermit to judge, in the time to come, whether ’twere 
well for the heir that she should ever be presented to the 
people as such, and have the cares and anxieties incident 
thereto thrown upon her shoulders. 

‘‘At length the poor king died, and Artabanus had 
the body conveyed to the temple, and exposed on the 
ground floor. The people flocked in large numbers to 
pay their last tribute of respect to the remains of him 
who had been so kind to them, and who they had loved 
so well ; and I do not exaggerate when I say that the 
marble pavement was wet, as though by rain, with the 
tears which the honest people shed. Glaucus was highly 
incensed, and tried to find out who had caused this 
exhibition of the dead monarch ; but he could gain no 
information ; and, as he was thus assured that Helixus 
was really dead and buried, he let the matter drop. 

“ From that time to the present, the history of our 
government has been dark with crime and oppression, 
as you well know. Glaucus reigned five years, and was 
then murdered by Basilus, who seized upon the sceptre, 


230 


Alaric. 


and kept it just five years morCo Then Pyrrho looked 
up from his place in the army, and resolved that he 
would be king ; and, through blood and carnage, he 
\Yorked his way to the throne. Your noble father fell 
beneath the tyrant's merciless ambition, and so fell all 
who dared to cry out against him. His reign, for these 
past eight years, has been marked only by deeds of the 
grossest tyranny and oppression ; and the people have 
suffered beyond endurance. 

“ But of this child, this infant, whom Helixus left ?” 
said Alaric, as the old man hesitated. 

I was coming back to her, my son, I told thee she 
was left with Artabanus ; but he could not keep her. 
His bleak home upon the mountain was not the place 
for her ; and then he had just been elected Grand Master 
of the Craftsmen of our Mystic Tie, which office made 
great drafts upon his time, as he had to spend a portion 
of every day in teaching the principles of art and archi- 
tecture, and also in drawing designs for new structures 
upon the tressel-board in the temple, so that the master 
workmen might study them at their leisure. Among 
the craftsmen in the city was a man named Bellerus, 
who had no children of his own, and to him Artabanus 
resolved to intrust the child. He told to Bellerus the 
whole story, and the humble workman consented to 
assume the responsibility. And under his roof the child 
grew to be a beautiful maiden, and the hermit wondered 
if he would ever suffer her to be burdened with the 
cares of a crown. If such should finally be deemed 
proper, would it not be necessary that she should have 
some one to help and assist her ? And would it not be 
well that her counselor should be bound to her by 
stronger ties than those of office 1 And then, again, 
would not the maiden’s heart be naturally yearning 
after some kindred spirit, and must not love, sooner or 


Light! Light I 


231 


later, make its way to her bosom ? These thoughts 
were dwelt upon by Artabanus and by Bellerus, and 
they concluded to select a companion for her. You, 
Alaric, had been the hermit's pupil, and he knew you 
well. He not only knew that your moral qualities were 
all that could be desired, but he also knew that your 
name would be a mountain of strength should the hour 
ever come when it would be necessary to depose a 
tyrant for the good of the people, because your father 
had been the counsellor of the good Helixus, and was 
universally beloved by all honest men. So it seemed 
peculiarly fit that thou shouldst be the chosen mate. 
Thy father was let into the secret, and he joined in our 
plans with all his heart. You were suffered to go to the 
house of Bellerus, and young as you were, the love of 
your hearts was not long in manifesting itself. 

‘‘ Then came the advent of Pyrrho — the death of your 
father — and the flight of yourself. Time passed on, 
and as the maiden became a woman, in both years and 
understanding, Artabanus, who knew not whether you 
lived, asked her if she could ever choose another hus- 
band. Her answer was only a flood of tears, with the 
oft-repeated assurance that, whether she ever saw you 
again or not, she should never love another. So the 
subject was dropped, and preparations were made to 
search for you, and see if any tidings could be gained. 
By some mishap — some careless word — it leaked out 
among the people, that hopes were entertained that 
Alaric, the son of Orneus, was yet alive, and that he 
would be searched for. This reached the ears of the 
officers of the king, and they pried into it with all their 
wit and ingenuity. Something, too, was discovered con- 
cerning the beautiful maiden at the old mason’s, but how 
much I know not. I only know that when Pyrrho first 
saw her he knew her at once. There had always been 


232 


Alaric. 


a suspicion lurking in the minds of those in power that 
the child of Helixus did not die, but that she had been 
secreted by some one who still lived. It leaked out that 
a beautiful maiden was beneath Bellerus' roof, and that 
the son of Orneus had loved her. Where danger is great, 
and retribution merited, suspicion is strong and rampant, 
and when suspicion once turned upon the maiden — 

Call her Ian the !'* cried the youth, who had become 
strangely excited. 

‘‘Aye, of lanthe I speak,” resumed the old man, in 
hurried tones, for the noise in the temple was increasing, 
and heavy feet were heard passing to and fro. “ I will 
finish very quickly. When suspicion once turned upon 
the maiden, and upon yourself — dim and shapeless as it 
was — it was enough. You came, and you were recog- 
nized. Through you the maiden was found, and Bel- 
lerus seized and entrapped. Enough was thus discov- 
ered, and enough suspected, to cause the tyrant to be- 
lieve that upon lanthe’s destiny rested his own — that 
she was a legal heir to the throne, and that the people 
would support her, if they found her, out of the old love 
they bore her father. So he resolved to make her his 
own queen, and thus gain the power of her claim to him- 
self. You have been told how’ he tried this, and how I 
rescued her from him.” 

“ Yes, yes ; and who art thou, strange man, that thus 
move me ever and anon with the assurance that I have 
known thee before ?” 

“ Never mind that now. Where, think ye, is lanthe T' 

“ Safe, is she not ?” 

“Aye, safely now is she, within the power of the 
king !” 

“ Great heavens ! speakest thou seriously T* gasped 
the youth, starting to his feet. 


233 


Hope of Triumph in Despair, 


Aye. She and Artabanus have been both this night 
seized and conveyed to the palace !’* 

Ah ! and this confusion — is it for their deliverance?” 
Alaric, all the craftsmen of our city, to the number 
of four thousand, and many of the soldiers who hate the 
tyrant, are armed and ready for a leader. Wilt thou 
lead them ?” 

‘‘ To the rescue of lanthe ?” 

‘‘Aye, and the rescue of a throne !” 

“ Yes, yes,” cried the 3^outh, clasping his hands, and 
raising them towards heaven. “ The light breaks upon 
me now ! Not for my honor — not for my sake — but, 
Great Jehovah, in thy Name, and for my suffering coun- 
trymen, I thus draw my sword, and follow this won- 
drous destiny !” 


» 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

HOPE OF TRIUMPH IN DESPAIR. 

When lanthe returned to consciousness, and found 
the huge black standing over her, the memory of her 
situation came to her mind, and with a cry of terror she 
started up, and would have leaped from the couch had 
he not held her where she was. 

“ Oh !” she cried, raising her clasped hands frantically 
towards him, “can you not feel some spark of sympathy 
for me ? Does your black skin shut off all human feel- 
ing ?” 

“What w^ould you have me do?” asked the eunuch, 
speaking sternly, but yet showing some compassion in 
his look. 


234 


Alaric, 


“ Give me a dagger !” 

And what would you do with a dagger ?’* 

‘‘ Protect my soul from the taint of that man’s foul 
purpose.” 

But thou wouldst be a mere child in his grasp, even 
with thy dagger.” 

“ You do not understand me. I am in his power, I 
have no help, those whom I love are cut off, and ere I 
would suffer his polluted touch I would take my own 
life ! Oh, if thou canst feel one jot of compassion, if 
there burns in your bosom one spark of sympathy, I 
implore thee, give me some weapon, I care not what it 
is, so it may reach my heart when the moment of 
necessity comes.” 

“ You need not ask me that,” returned the black, for 
I cannot grant it.” 

“ Will you not ?” 

No.” 

Again the maiden threw herself upon the couch and 
groaned aloud in her agony. After awhile she started up 
and asked Mestor how long she had had lain insensible, 
and he told her that she must have been so nearly an 
hour. Even as he answered her the door was rudely 
opened, and the king strode into the apartment. 

“ How !” he cried, approaching the couch ; not yet 
abed } Why art thou here, Mestor ?” 

“ She fainted, sire, after you went out ; and I have 
just succeeded in reviving her.” 

And has she spoken ?” 

Aye, sire, most importunately. She asked me to 
give her a weapon — a dagger.” 

Ha, would she kill me?” 

Not so. She would kill herself. She found me v 
immovable, and had just settled down as you entered.” 

So, so. Very well, we shall see. Thou mayest 


^35 


Hope of Triumph in Despair. 


retire, Mestor.’* Then the king* turned toward the 
maiden, and bade her to rise. She obeyed him instinct- 
ively. 

“Dost see that nuptial chamber?’' he demanded, 
pointing towards the open door. 

She made no reply. 

He was upon the point of speaking again, when a 
bright light streamed in through the barred window, as 
though some building were in flames. He leaped to 
the stool, and saw a huge ball of fire in the heavens 
moving over the city. It shot forth sparks of 
intense brilliancy, and the whole capital was lighted up 
as though by the sun. The king watched it from 
where he stood, until it finally disappeared over the 
sea ; and when it was wholly gone, and darkness, 
seemingly more intense than before, had settled back 
upon the city, he stepped down upon the floor, tremb- 
ling with superstitious fear. The sound of many voices 
arose upon the air in a confused din, and through the 
palace were heard the tread of feet in wild disorder. 
The monarch shook off the first paralyzing load of ter- 
ror that had fallen upon him, and then started back, 
and called aloud for his chief eunuch. 

“ What ho, there ! Ha ! hast thou not been from the 
apartment ?” 

“ I waited to observe that marvelous ball of fire, your 
majesty. I could not go." 

“ Then you saw it ?*' 

“Yes, sire." 

“ And what think ye of it ?" 

“I know not what to think. It is most wonderful." 

“ So it is, Mestor. And do you hear this strange din 
in the city, which comes up like the muttering of a 
young earthquake ?" 

“ Yes, plainly, sire." 


236 


Alaric. 


By the gods, ! I must see what this all means. Look 
to the maiden, Mestor, and allow no living soul to 
approach her till I return. Wilt be careful ?’* 

“ I’ll guard her with my very life, sire.” 

“ Good. 1 shall not be long away.” 

With this the king hurried out from the apartment, 
and made all haste to the throne-chamber, where he 
hoped to find some of his chief officers in this emer- 
gency. And he was not disappointed. He found his 
chamberlain and his jailer there, and several of the 
lieutenants and privates of the palace guard. He might 
have felt more at ease in thus finding himself among 
his attendants had he not seen that they, too, were terri- 
fied and fearful. 

“ Donatus,” he cried, did ye see that wonderful fire 
that passed over the city ?” 

‘‘ Aye, sire, we all saw it,” replied the chamberlain, 
trembling. 

‘‘ And what make ye of it ?” 

‘‘ I know not what to make, sire. It must be some 
sign. I never saw the like before.” 

How wanes the night, Donatus ?” 

“ It is an hour past midnight, or more.” 

At this juncture the door at the lower end of the 
apartment was thrown open, and the captain of the 
guard entered. He was pale and excited, and trembled 
at every joint. 

‘‘ Ha, Claudian, what bringest thou ?” 

“ Wondrous news, sire, and startling, too,” replied the . 
captain. 

“ Didst see that awful fire in the heavens ?” 

“ Ah, sire, it is of that I would speak. I have just 
come from the great gate of Apollo, and the people are 
hurrying to and fro with incredible swiftness.” 

Are they so fearful ?” 


237 


Hope of Triumph in Despair. 


‘‘ No, sire. They seem far from fearful. They move 
with much method, and I think some of them are armed.’* 

‘‘ Ha !** exclaimed Pyrrho, starting- madly across the 
room, ‘‘ this smells of rebellion. But, by the gods. I’ll 
quench it in the kindling ! I’ll strangle it at its birth ! 
Claudian, hence at once, and dispatch couriers to every 
post within the city ! Arouse every soldier, and have 
every post guarded ; and then arrest every citizen who 
may be found abroad, no matter what his business or 
condition. Make all possible haste, and send me word 
how matters stand. Let no soldier sleep in Syracuse 
to-night.’* 

The captain withdrew, and the king then sent out one 
of his lieutenants to see why there was so much noise 
in the court of the palace. After this he paced the 
floor awhile, and then seated himself upon the throne. 

Donatus, come hither,” he said, and the chamber- 
lain advanced to his side. 

Dost think this is rebellion in earnest ?” 

The officer saw how pale and agitated his royal 
master was, and he would have hidden the truth, but 
he knew ’twould be of no use. 

“ Sire,” he replied, I fear much that it is.” 

But how — how can it have been brought to such a 
pitch within a city guarded as this has been ?” 

“ Ah, sire, thou knowest we have had suspicions of 
this.’* 

“ Aye, so we have ; but they rested on grounds which 
we have taken up. The daughter of Helixus is in my 
power ; Alaric dead ; and both Bellerus and Artabanus, 
who had charge of the maiden, rest at the bottom of my 
Tartarian vault. With the heads thus lopped off, how 
can the body of sedition stalk abroad to any purpose .?’* 

“ It may not, sire. Our well-disciplined soldiery 
must soon put it down.’* 


238 


Alaric^ 


They will ! they will ! Ah ! here comes a messen- 
ger. How now, Sirrah 

A lieutenant of the guard, who had at that moment 
entered, approached the throne. 

Sire,” he said, trembling as he spoke, I come from 
Claudian.” 

I care not whence thou comest. Out with thine 
errand, and stand not there quaking as though thy head 
were under the axe !” 

“ The people are armed in all quarters, sire, and 
their purpose seems fixed. When stopped by the sol- 
diers they cut them down, and pursue their way.” 

‘‘ What ! The citizens cut the soldiers down T 

‘‘Yes, sire. But there will be more soldiers out pres- 
ently — they must be out ere this — and then the captain 
will strike.” 

“ By the sacred sword of Mars !” cried the monarch, 
leaping up from his throne, “ This thing shall be stopped, 
though every citizen in Syracuse do lose his head ! 
Hasten back to Claudian, and bid him spare no man ! 
He should have had the whole guard out ere this ! By 
the powers infernal, I should marvel much if ten thou- 
sand well-armed soldiers could not quell rebellion here ! 
Off with thee, and bid the captain not to spare a head !” 

“ Heleon,” the monarch added, after the captain's 
messenger had gone, turning to one of the lieutenants 
who stood near him, “ go to the court of the palace, and 
see that every gate is locked, and that the guards are at 
their posts. Bid the officer that he suffer not a person 
to pass under any pretext whatever.” 

The king then sank back upon his throne, and pressed 
his hands upon his brow. The distant din increased, 
and there seemed to come up from the streets of the 
city a muttering like that of a volcano. 


239 


Hope of Tritimph in Despair. 


Does not the noise grow louder ?” Pyrrho whispered 
to his chamberlain. 

It does, sire ; but I have thought it might be our 
soldiers at their work.*' 

“ Ha ! So it may, good Donatus, Yes, yes, Claudian 
has surely set his hounds of war upon the game !’* 

But the monarch could not sit still. He started up 
and paced the floor with rapid strides, ever and anon 
stopping to listen to the increasing din. He turned to 
Hippon, his jailer, and bade him go and see how mat- 
ters stood with the palace guard ; and then he walked 
to and fro again. At length the roar of confusion 
became frightful, and loud sounds arose upon the air. 

That is not the noise of the guard !” the monarch 
said. 

“ It sounds too free and bold for them,** the chancellor 
returned. 

Ha ! ■ What sound is that ?' Hark ! Who comes 
now ?** 

The great door was thrown violently open, as the 
king spoke, and the captain of the guard rushed in. He 
was covered with dust, and the blood was streaming 
down over his face from a wound upon the brow. 

Sire,** he gasped, struggling for breath, all is lost.” 
Lost !** shrieked the monarch, seizing the captain 
by the arm. Who has lost 1 What mean you ?’* 

The people have arisen and are armed !*’ 

But how could it be ? How came such concert ?** 
That ball of fire, your majesty, which startled us so, 
arOvSe from the temple of Diana, and it must have been 
a signal which the people understood ; for immediately 
they were on the move in every direction.** 

But — death and destruction ! Are there no powers 
to overcome them ? Speak, Claudian ! — Where are your 
ten thousand soldiers ?** 


240 


Alaric. 


Alas, sire, I know not,” replied the captain, as if 
afraid to tell all he knew. 

Know not ? Wert thou not ordered to arouse them 
every one ? By the gods, thou knowest where they are. 
Now speak !” 

I did arouse them, sire — such as were not already 
aroused — but they had better have slept ; for many of 
them not only refused to obey me, but ran off and ioined 
the mob.” 

‘‘ The soldiers — joined the mob — turned traitors ?” 
gasped Pyrrho, quivering at every joint. 

‘‘ Aye, sire. It was from one of my own guard that I 
received this wound. I knew his intent, and would have 
arrested him, when he drew his sword and cut his way 
from the guard-house, and joined the people.” 

Ha I here comes another messenger. How now, 
dog, bring you croakings of evil ?” 

‘‘ Sire,” spoke the officer — a lieutenant who had just 
rushed in — “ the populace are aroused and in arms, and 
several whole companies of the guards are with them !” 

But those shouts, sir lieutenant, what are they ?” 

The people crying out for vengeance.” 

“ And upon whom ?” 

Hark !” at this moment interrupted Donatus, ‘‘ can 
you not hear, sire ?’ ’ 

Aye, he could hear ; for there arose upon the air a 
shout, loud and long, and its burden was ; 

“ Death to the Tyrant !” 

Ere the king could speak further, another messenger 
came rushing in, with his sword broken, and his left 
arm dropping’ blood. 

“They are upon the, palace, sire !” he cried ; “and 
they sweep everything before them 1” 

“ Who ? who ?” gasped Pyrrho. 

“ The mob — the people — the city !’* 


Hope of Triumph in Despair. 


241 


But who leads them V 

‘‘ Agrippa, the priest of Abydos, and another old 
priest of Diana, seem the guiding spirits — ” 

Curses upon that infernal priest hissed the king. 

‘‘ But, sire,” pursued the messenger, ‘‘ the one who 
seems their chief general, who cuts down all opposition 
with his trenchant blade, and by whom the people 
swear in their war-cry, is none other than the son of 
Orneus — Alaric !” 

Foul fiend, thou liest ! 'Tis not Alaric ! He is 
dead !” 

“ No, sire. I have seen him with my own eyes ; and 
by his side stalks a huge giant, of dark aspect, whom 
they all call Alkanor ; and together they cut down our 
guard as the husbandman cuts the ripened grain !” 

“ Now, by the throne of highest heaven !” exclaimed 
the monarch, clenching his hands and his teeth, ‘‘ some 
foul demon hath broken loose upon our land ! But 
they may not gain admission to the palace. The walls 
are strong, and the gates firm. Where is Hippon ? He 
has not returned ?” 

Even while Pyrrho spoke, the jailer made his appear- 
ance. He was pale as death, and quaked from head to 
foot. 

How now, Hippon ? In mercy’s name, look not 
upon me with such a gaze ! What is it ?” 

Thy guard, sire — ” 

I know of. my guard ! Tell me of the palace !” 

“ Thy gates are all thrown open !” 

“ No ! ho ! ’Tis false ! They could not be opened 
so easily !” 

’Twas by traitors from within, sire !” 

Now may the Fates of Tartarus seize me ! But — ” 
gasped the king, clenching his jailer by the arm, 111 
not believe it ! It cannot be !” 


242 


Alaric. 


Hark, sire !’* spoke Donatus. They are already in 
the outer court/' 

“ Aye," added Hippon, they come ! they come !" 

And," pursued the chamberlain, hear their shouts ! 
Dost hear, sire ?" 

“Yes," the monarch answered in a quick, hoarse 
whisper, and then bent his ear to listen. 

“We must flee!" said Hippon, “for they will soon 
reach us here !" 

“ Hark !" said the king, in the same whispered breath, 
but more sharp and shrill this time. “ Dost hear that 
cry, which is raised even in the very palace ?" 

“ Yes," returned the chamberlain. “ I hear them cry 
‘ Long Live Alaric and Ian the !’ " 

“ And dost hear that voice in the vestibule ?’* 

“ Yes. 'Tis Alaric’s. He is coming hither!" 

“ Ha, ha, ha !" laughed the king, a mad, wild, demon- 
iac laugh. “ I have the power still in my own hands ! 
lanthe is mine ! mine ! mine ! No one else shall ever 
own her ! She has held this rebellion in her destiny j 
and, if they gain the throne, they shall lose the queen ! 
Ha, ha, ha ! Thus will I have sweet vengeance and 
thus thwart them in half their traitorous designs! 
Donatus, Hippon, men of my household^ slaves, save 
yourselves as best you can ! I go to plant my sword in 
the very heart and germ of this rebellion." 

Thus speaking, the monarch seized a torch from one 
of his slaves, and hurried from the throne-room. Along 
the dark passages he strode through corridors, around 
abrupt angles, and up broad, winding stairs with his 
drawn sword in his hand. He reached the firmly bolted 
door of the nuptial chamber, and having cast back the 
ponderous fastenings, he threw it open, lanthe, pale 
and quivering, her hand clutched upon the brazen bars 


Conclusion. 


243 


stood by the window, listening to the strange sounds 
that came up from below, and she did not see the 
blood-thirsty tyrant as he approached her. 




CHAPTER XXV. 

CONCLUSION. 

“ Now,’' cried Pyrrho, as he came near to the spot 
where the maiden stood, thou shalt be wedded to a 
monarch greater than I — to the King of Terrors !” 

With a sharp, quick scream, like the note of a wounded 
bird, lanthe started back from the window as she heard 
the king’s voice, and shrank away to the wall. 

Aha ! Thou hast been listening to the voices of the 
mob, eh ? Hast thou heard any which are familiar to 
thine ear ?” 

What did the king mean ? Why did he look so 
strangely ; and why that naked sword in his hand ! She 
could not answer him. 

Hast heard Alaric’s voice ?” he continued with a hiss. 

Oh ! 'twas his voice, then !” 

“ Aye. And thou hast heard it for the last time ! 
Thou knowest all that I know, so there is no need of 
marvel between us. The people did love thy- father 
when he was king, and now they would take a ruler 
who has thee for his queen ; but 111 thwart them here. 
I know there is no escape for me ; but ere I fall into the 
hands of mine enemies, thou shalt be taken from them ! 
The prestige of thy name shall not be theirs ! No man 
who outlives me shall pluck roses from the lips of my 


244 


A laric. 


queen ! So go to the land of shadows while yet thy 
virgin purity is unsullied !" 

Sire !*' at this moment spoke a deep voice behind 
him. 

The king dropped the point of his sword and, upon 
turning, he beheld his chief eunuch. The powerful 
black seized him by the arm, and wrenched his weapon 
from him, and then stepped in before the maiden. 

‘‘Fool ! idiot !” gasped the monarch, stamping his foot 
with rage, “ dost think I am crazy — that I have lost my 
senses 1 Give me back my sword. I know what I am 
about.'' 

“ Thou canst not have it, sire," replied the eunuch, 
with perfect calmness. 

“ How !" cried Pyrrho, seeming utterly unable to 
credit the evidence of his own senses, “ art thou not 
Mestor T' 

“ I am." 

“ And my slave ?" 

“ No, thy master, now." 

“ Ha !" burst from the king's lips, while his eyes 
darted forth a wild, maniac gleam. “ And art thou, 
too, among the traitors ?" 

“ I will speak the truth, sire," returned Mestor, still 
calm and unmoved. “Within these three hours my life 
has been at the mercy of those who are about to hurl 
thee from the throne, and they asked me if I loved thee. 
I told them I hated thee for thy tyranny, but that I 
obeyed thee because thou wert my master. Agrippa, 
the priest of Diana, then told me that I might follow 
thy fortunes, or accept a new service. When I knew 
how matters stood, I accepted the new service. I swore 
allegiance to Alaric and lanthe, and am now at my post. 
I did this for two reasons : First to save own my life, 


Conclusion. 


245 


which I love very well ; and second because I hated 
thee, and would rather be free from thy tyranny/' 

The monarch was for some moments unable to speak. 
He tore away the linen from his bosom, as though his 
breath were choked thereby, and glared upon the 
eunuch wildly. But finally he seemed to comprehend 
it all ; and, as his energies struggled up from the shock, 
he uttered a loud cry of rage and madness, and sprang, 
like a beast of prey, upon the new-found conspirator, 
clutching his fingers upon his throat, and holding there 
with the grip of a tiger. 

“ By the power of Pluto," the frenzied monarch 
gnashed forth, I’ll have thy life, foul dog of a slave ! 
Thou shalt not breathe again !" 

The powerful black struggled with all his might, but 
he could not break the madman’s hold from his throat. 
He could not bear it — it was painful — the king’s nails 
were eating into his flesh and ere long he must faint 
from exhaustion. He had little choice left, and he 
resorted to the first that suggested itself. 

He would have spoken, and warned Pyrrho of his 
danger, but he could not articulate. In his agony he 
drew back his arm and plunged the sword, which he 
had just taken from its owner, though the body of his 
royal assailant. As the' king felt the sharp steel pierce 
his side, he relaxed his grip, and Mestor then shook him 
off. 

During this strange conflict there had been a louder 
shouting than before from without, and as the eunuch 
cast Pyrrho from him, the fall of many feet was heard 
in the adjacent corridor ; and presently a man clad, in 
steel and gold, rushed into the chamber. In his hand 
was a dripping sword, and his cuirass was stained with 
many a dark spot. 

Whei'e — where is lanthe ?’’ he cried. 


246 


Alaric. 


The maiden darted up from the couch upon which 
she had fallen, for the rich notes of that voice rang- with 
regenerating music in her soul. 

“ Alaric !’' she replied, putting forth her hands, and 
gazing upon him with a joyful gratitude beaming in her 
beautiful features, Here ! here ! Safe ! oh, safe !” 

And he wound his arms about her and gazed down 
into her loving eyes, and told her again and again that 
there was no more to fear. 

But Alaric had not come alone. Behind followed he 
whom we have known as Agrippa, and another strange 
priest ; and with them were Alkanor, the gigantic 
Egyptian, and two other stout craftsmen. 

“ Fiend and furies !” hissed the king, turning from 
Alaric and fastening his gaze upon the two priests. 
“ Who art thou that thus boldest power over me ? Who 
art thou ? Man, god or demon — speak And he 

moved toward Agrippa, and gazed more eagerly into 
his face. 

‘‘ Base tyrant — behold who am I and thus speaking 
the priest let the mystic mantle fall from his shoulders, 
and tore the flowing locks from his head and face. 

Death gasped the monarch, starting back aghast. 
“ This is thy trick ! It is not thy real shape !” 

You behold me as I am, thou quaking tyrant !” • 

“ And art — Bellerus 

‘‘ Ky^r 

‘‘ My father cried lanthe, starting toward him. 

And behold me I” said the second priest, stepping 
forth while Bellerus was embracing the maiden, and 
throwing off his own disguise, thereby revealing the 
form and features of Artabanus, the old hermit of 
Catalano. 

“Shades of the dead and doomed !” the monarch 
cried, putting out his hands before him as though he 


Conclusion. 


247 


would feel that it were flesh and blood which he saw, 
“ this cannot be. My vault cannot have given up its 
inhabitants thus !’* 

“ Fool !*' returned Bellerus, stepping back from the 
king’s cold touch, did ye think when ye took me 
to that old vault that I knew not your plan 
and purpose ? And did ye think that I voluntarily 
placed myself within your power without knowing how 
I could get out of it ? Know that the craftsmen who 
built this palace knew every passage in it, and that 
there be craftsmen living at the present day who 
know more of it than you do. That vault beneath the 
great tower was originally built for a prison of death, 
and the founder had it so arranged that water could be 
let into it, filling it over half full. When I first 
examined the walls I discovered the pipes, and knew 
that it must connect with the conduit which supplied 
your bath. I and my companions removed one of the 
stones above the point where this pipe entered, and 
soon discovered that we could thus gain entrance to a 
narrow passage which led down to the chambers 
beneath the palace, Now the question arose : should 
we fix the vault as you desired ? It was evident 
that 3^ou meant to use it as a safe and sure place within 
which to dispose of those whom you wished to be rid of, 
and that we should be the first victims. We resolved 
to do the work ; so we privately prepared the secret 
passage from the vault which was just above the line 
which the water could reach, and when the water was let 
on to that point, no one could be hurt by being thrown 
down into it. We concluded that this would be the 
safest way for us. As for myself, I knew that you 
meant that I should die, and if you once supposed me 
surely out of your way within that vault, I could dis- 
guise myself and still work on in the great cause we 


248 


Alaric, 


had in hand. And more, too : I knew I should thus 
gain the power of saving the lives of those whom you 
would murder ; for, if you believed that the simple con- 
signing of them to the vault would destroy them, you 
would put your most dangerous enemies there and I 
or my friends could be on hand to rescue them from 
the water. 

So we fashioned it all to your liking, and to our 
own ; but we were prepared against violence ; and, after 
we had let the water in, we could at any moment have 
made our escape by leaping down into the dark abyss. 
We held several conversations, when we knew you were 
near by to hear us, giving to you the idea that we had 
other means of escape when our work should be done. 
You consigned us to the vault as we knew you would. 
We fell into the water and easily clambered out through 
the passage we had constructed. There were men in 
your own household who knew all your movements, who 
were only spies upon you ; and to them we communi- 
cated the secret, so that they might watch and rescue 
any person whom you should consign to the pit. 
Artabanus knew his fate and his opportunity to escape, 
ere you led him hither. 

When I went forth from your palace, our chief 
priest, Pythion, had just received intelligence that 
Agrippa of Abydos, who had been expected to visit 
Syracuse, could not at present come ; so I assumed his 
character, and it has served me well. It has enabled 
me to keep my existence a profound secret from the 
world, and you left me free to work. 

“ And, foul king, I have worked — we have all worked 
— to some purpose. A tyrant may never know whom 
he can trust. Many who serve him serve him with 
hatred, and cherish revenge while yet they bend the 


Conclusion, 


249 


obsequious knee. But thou turnest pale ! Thou 
bleedest ! Art wounded T 

** I die !” g’asped the monarch, pressing his hand 
upon his side. 

Bellerus and his companions had not noticed before 
that Pyrrho was wounded, as the blood had been hidden 
by his garments ; but they now saw a dark pool where 
he had stood, and also discovered that he was growing 
faint. 

Oh ! Mestor ! — slave! — dog I — fiend!” And as 
these words fell from the king's lips, he staggered 
towards the eunuch, as though he would again grasp 
him by the throat ; but his eye was growing dim, his 
step was unsteady, and he reeled against the wall. 
Mestor caught him, as he was sinking to the fioor, and 
conducted him to a couch, and then turned and 
explained to those present how the event had happened. 

“ Well,” spoke Artabanus, 'tis better so. 'Twill save 
the executioner some trouble, and relieve the new ruler 
from the necessity of pronouncing the death-decree 
upon the man who has shed so much Sicilian blood dur- 
ing his wicked and cruel career.” 

“ Who has shed blood ?” asked Pyrrho, starting up 
from his couch, and glaring wildly about. 

Thou hast,” answered Alaric, advancing towards 
him. “ Aye, the best blood in all the kingdom thou 
didst shed when thou seized the throne !” 

Ha, ha, ha ! And thou hast shed blood now.” 

No, no,” quickly returned our hero, not of worthy 
men. I have stricken down some human heads to-night 
but they were upon the shoulders of thy hireling Carth- 
aginians, who have no sympathy with our people, 
and would have slain my friends about me. I have 
not shed one drop of Sicilian blood, for there was no 


Ala^Hc, 


250 


need of it. Every true son of Sicily was ready to cry 
out ‘ Death to the tyrant !' 

‘‘ Death to thee yelled the monarch, clenching- his 
hands, and endeavoring to reach the youth. But his 
step grew weak, the wild fire of his glaring eye went 
suddenly out, his arms fell powerless by his side, and 
with one deep, long gasp, he reeled to the floor. 

The eunuch went out and knelt by his side, and lifted 
up his head. 

‘‘ Bear him to his couch,*’ said Artabanus. 

There is no need,” replied Mestor, he is dead !” 
And, as he spoke, he laid the head of the fallen mon- 
arch back upon the cold pavement, and rose to his 
feet. 

The morning sun arose brightly upon Syracuse, and 
as the golden beams began to light up the city, the 
people left their dwellings and crowded towards the 
royal palace. 

The story had been told during the night that the 
daughter of the royal Helixus had been found, and that 
the brave and noble son of Orneus had returned, and 
would be her husband. And it had been told, too, that^ 
good old Artabanus and honest Bellerus had protected 
the princess since her father’s death, and that it had 
been long determined that Alaric should be her con- 
sort And it had also been told how the tyrant had 
tried to murder Alaric and Bellerus, and Artabanus ; 
and how he had sought to crush the lovely princess. 
All this had been told, and the strange story had passed 
from tongue to tongue till all the people knew it. 

And now, as the morning broke, another tale was 
wafted to the popular ear. The tyrant had fallen by the 
hand of one of his own slaves. ’Twas said, and said by 
those who knew, that the cruel king would have mur- 
dered the princess Ian the, but for the timely interfer- 


Co7iclusion. 


251 


ence of his chief eunuch, and that this eunuch then 
killed him to save his own life. 

It was a wondrous theme, and one fraught with hope 
and gladness to the people. They listened to the start- 
ling story, they told it over and over again, and then 
shouted for joy. 

And the beams of the morning’s sun penetrated to 
the royal palace, and illuminated its vast chambers and 
sumptuous halls. In the great throne-room, where two 
hundred pillars of porphyry supported the massive roof, 
assembled all the chief men of the city. And here, once 
more, the story was told. Artabanus himself told it now. 
He told how Helixus had died in his arms 

But stop. At the mention of that well -remembered 
name, the name so honored and revered, a gentle mur- 
mur arose from the vast concourse of people, which 
gradually swelled into a louder note of love and grati- 
tude to the memory of the departed. 

After this Artabanus told the story of the princess, 
and of Orneus, and when he had spoken, the young 
couple were led forth upon the dais in front of the 
throne, where amid murmurs of admiration that could 
not be hushed, they were solemnly married. 

‘‘ And now,” cried Artabanus, holding aloft the crown 
of Sicily, “ I do as your last true king bade me do, if 
his people would permit it, and I should deem it proper: 
I place this crown upon the head of him who has been 
thought worthy to be the husband of our well-beloved 
princess. Men of Sicily, behold your King and 
Queen !” 

He stepped away from the throne as he spoke, and 
for a moment the people gazed upon the noble pair in 
silence. Awhile lanthe returned their admiring 
gaze, and then, unable longer to bear the scene, she 
turned to her husband, and pillowing her head upon 


252 


A I arte. 


his bosom, burst into tears. He wound his left arm 
fondly about her, and, when he had wiped the gather- 
ing moisture from his own eyes, he turned to the 
assembled multitude, who were all hushed to silence to 
hear what he would say. 

Men of Sicily,” he cried, ‘‘ I ask your allegiance. 
Give it to me, and I will try to win your confidence 
and love by my own endeavors. And when I no longer 
hold the hearts of my people, let me lose my crown. 
You, who have served my predecessor so faithfully, — 
you, Donatus — you, Claudian — and you,Hippon — if you 
can forget these wounds, and be true to your country, 
shall find the past buried with its wrongs, and your- 
selves judged by what you shall henceforth prove to 
be.” 

And then the palace shook to its very foundations 
with the shout that went up from the thousands of 
happy hearts, and all over the city the shout arose. 
“ Alaric and lanthe !” was the cry ; and from street to 
street, from valley to hill, from hill-top to mountain- 
side across the verdant plains, went the glad cry, and it 
did [not stop in a day, in a year, but through long, 
long years it continued to go up from the lips of a 
people redeemed. In the crowded city and in the open 
country, in the shop of the artisan, and upon the field 
of the husbandman, wherever peace and thrift pre- 
vailed, thence arose blessings and honor upon the wise, 
good king, Alaric. 


FINIS. 


A CAPITAL AMERICAN STORY, 


UNDER A CLOUD. 

BY JEAN KATE LUDLUM, 

Author of Under Oathf etc. 

ILLUSTRATED BY WARREN B, DAVIS. 


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It was once asked by a celebrated Englishman : Who reads 
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American books are the popular reading of the present day. 

Under a Cloud is a spirited and pathetic account of the trials 
of a New York lady, who, in consequence of a promise wrung 
from her by her father, is put into relations with her husband 
which are almost unprecedented. The chain of circumstances 
by which the husband is implicated in a crime and the heroic 
efforts of the wife to traverse this chain and unravel the mystery 
make a history of overpowering interest. 

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THE LITTLE COUNTESS 


E. VON DINCKLAGE, 

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN 


By S. E. BOGGS. 


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noble family. She is left an orphan in a lonely old castle, with a 
fevv servants and pets. Her heroic temper sustains her in every 
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THE NORTHERN LIGHT 


TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF 

E. WEBNER, 

BY 

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“A GOOD FRENCH NOVEL.” 


MADEMOISELLE DESROCHES 


BY 

Andre Theuriet, 

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH 


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It is the story of a French physician’s daughter brought up by a 
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